Death Evens it All Out

Death evens out the playing field.

I've been thinking about the whole idea of competition. I think our winter Olympics made me start thinking about it. In a human logical perspective, we have a need to compete for the best. There is something that is wired in our minds that either makes us believe we are the greatest, or can be the greatest, and then there's the opposite where others are greater than us. We compare ourselves to people all the time, I am a prime example of that fact. As a girl I've grown up thinking, who's the prettier one, who is smarter, I'm smarter, I'm prettier, ect. You compare yourself with someone who you believe is less superior in society in order to feel better about yourself.

Where does this come from? Where does this tendency to think yourself to be better or to believe others are better, come from?

I have thought about this, and I believe it has to do with being Created. I believe these things give proof to there being a Creator. If there was no Creator, no one who has authority over our lives, we wouldn't be seeking authority within ourselves or other people. To hopefully grasp this idea, I'm going to quote Lewis regarding atheism (what he once believed), "Consequently atheism turns out to be to simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that is has no meaning: just as if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never know it was dark. Dark would be without meaning."

Therefore, if there is no higher power, we wouldn't be seeking a higher power over our lives, whether it is within ourselves or within other people.

The tendency to think ourselves better than others, is sin. It is pride, it is egotistical, and we do it all the time. Why? because we are so corrupted in sin. Christianity has a perspective that kills this thought process and that is, if you compare yourself to God, you realize how unworthy and wretched you are. You realize how inadequate you are as a person, a human being, a creature. No wonder Christianity gets heavily criticized in American society, because we are looked at as judgmental and close minded because there is a higher authority that drives our perspectives on life and on morality. Our authority comes from God, and people don't want that kind of authority. When I'm convicted by other people, I hate it. Why? because my perspective is, "who are they to judge me?" but if they judge me on the basis of God's Word, then I know it is right, even though I don't want it to be right. Why? because I want to be the author of my life.

This comes to the title of this blog and another argument supporting my claim.

If we live to be the best, what good is it in the end? Even the greatest people, the strongest people, the strongest and wisest rulers of the world, all die. When we look at death, the good person and the bad person both die. Why? I see it as it evens out the playing field. In the end, we are all still human. I realize that's how God sees the rapist and the good christian as the same when it comes to human nature. Sin causes death, and we are in sin all our lives on this earth. Therefore that is why God cannot play favorites, and say one person is better than the other, because in mortal reality, we all die. It gives me a greater understanding of the writer of Ecclesiates when he says,

"Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly. What more can the king's successor do than what has already been done? I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness. The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.

Then I thought in my heart,

The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do I gain by being wise? I said in my heart, This too is meaningless. For the wise man, like the fool, will not be long remembered; in days to come both will be forgotten. Like the fool, the wise man too must die!" (Eccl. 2:12-16)

The whole idea of human beings creating and destroying throughout history and science seems to cause people not to believe in God, they tend to believe they are gods of their own lives. If this is the case, if this is reality, then give me proof of a person never dying. We can create, and we can destroy, no doubt, but can we sustain life forever? From what I know, we can't and that is why God is not popular in modern science because science cannot sustain life forever.

So what is there to live for? That question can only be answered by you, and your own beliefs, but know this: no matter how great we think we are, death will still remind us how mortal and powerless we are over our own lives.

To me, that is a freeing reality, because I know my life is the hands of the One who is the greatest. :-)

Amen.

The Proverbs

I love the Proverbs. I realized how much I love them because I haven't been able to spend a lot of time in God's word this week, I just turn to a proverb and read one after the other. I love them because there is such density to them. One proverb can really make you think about it, and understand where the philosopher is coming from, and then once you figure it out you see how it applies to your own life. I know one proverb that I just discovered is, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17 I love that one, it is one of my new favorites because I see it in my own life. God has put some significant people in my life that I didn't even seek out and my relationship with them is just what that verse says. We sharpen each other intellectually and from there God uses it to speak to our own hearts. There are a couple of people like that in my life and it is such a blessing. I am also extremely thankful for the godly friendships that I have, who I know I can talk to and won't gossip about me or anyone else, who truly care and have concern and give substantial advice that calms me and gives me peace. God really provides those things, and I am so completely grateful for it.

Well this week has been interesting and since I was in the Proverbs one really stuck out to me for the week,

"Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses."

"Who would prefer a friend's wounds to an enemy's kisses? Anyone who considers the source. A friend who has your best interests at heart may have to give you unpleasant advice at times, but you know it is for your own good. An enemy, by contrast, may whisper sweet words and happily send you on your way to ruin. We tend to hear what we want to hear, even if an enemy is the only one who will say it. A friend's advice, no matter how painful, is much more valuable" -Zondervan's NIV Life Application Study Bible

God really brought this verse to my attention this past week. I put this verse on my penguin chalk board (thanks Tara :-) ) on Monday, and I've read it every time I'm in my room and it has been on my heart. I realized something new that God is teaching me and that is to rebuke. I hate it. There are times where I use to not speak up and just let things slide where now I can't let things slide, I have to speak up or I don't get peace. God doesn't grant me peace because I know what the right thing to do is. Today, before I went to this really awesome church with my mom, I opened up The Word, and this verse is what I saw when I opened my Bible,

"There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins."

Ecclesiastes 7:20

and then it referenced to,

"Who can say, 'I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin'?" Proverbs 20:9

That brought me to remember that even when I do the right thing, sin is still there. I cannot see how great of a person I am, because I am not. I am so wretched and I make mistakes all the time. I am so corrupted in sin that there's nothing that I can do, right or wrong, that does not have sin in it. Before the Almighty God, I am a sinner. So even when I do what I know is right, there is still sin in my life and sin can easily show in that as well. I know recently when I did something that I knew was right, but extremely hard to deal with, even though I know I did what God called me to do, I still messed up and sinned and I made things worse because of my own human defense. It continues to remind me how messed up we are as human beings and even after we do the right thing we still can make things worse because sin can get in the way of that.

It also reminds me of how gracious and patient God is towards us. He uses us even though we mess up things all the time. I find it so encouraging because God is so cool in that way. He chooses to use us for His kingdom, to do GREAT things for His kingdom, even though we are soooooooooooooo unworthy and unstable, and He guides us along His side to teach us and instruct us and grow us in knowledge creating such love for Him.

God is awesome. I am not. Yet I am made to be because of my Savior's sacrifice for me.

Amen. :-)

In Christ,

Amber

Renew Your Mind

Last night I wrote this entry in my personal journal. My mind was getting obsessed with thoughts that were just unhealthy for me, and I had to put things under control. When I was driving to school yesterday I was listening to Chip Ingram on 103.3 and he mentioned the "Romans 12 Christian" and I made a mental note to read Romans 12 when I got home. Well when I got home at 3PM I had lots to do, and I didn't go to God until about 10:30PM. I wasn't sure where to start when I opened my Bible and then I remembered that I wanted to look at Romans 12. I didn't get far into the chapter, actually I didn't get past verse 2, to become inspired to write. I wanted to write down things that would help me discern the differences between the two things that Romans 12:2 mentions. Well here's the entry I wrote, it's not too long only a page in my journal, but I think it may be helpful, at least it was for me.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's Will is--his good, pleasing, and perfect will.' Romans 12:2

The first question to ask is what is the pattern of this world? What is the pattern of the society we live in?

Materialistic, obsessed with finding "the One"/or a partner, worries about the future, does not take time to notice the day, to busy to care about the needs of others, doesn't take time to solve the problems in their life but rather buries them, avoids being accountable, impatient with waiting, judgmental, doesn't consider others, lack of thick skin (takes things to personally), ect.

The second question to ask is how do you renew your mind? (with the Spirit's help and...) Take each day as a gift, patient in waiting for anything, isn't concerned about finding "the One"/or a partner but is more concerned for the needs around them, doesn't take things so personally (thick skin), faces problems in their life & deals with them, holds themselves accountable/takes responsibility because they know they have been payed for, isn't concerned with "things" of this world but remembers treasures in Heaven, ect.

Which pattern will you live by today? The world's or God's?

*Note: Think about how as Christians we always say, "I want to follow God's Will but I don't know what it is" in order to find out, you need to renew your mind.

I plan He determines

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."

Proverbs 16:9

I don't know about you, but this proverb seems to always be quoted. When something is always quoted it seems like the power behind it can be taken away.

For me personally, this verse was one I remember memorizing as a young teenager, around 13 or 14. I remember reading this verse while we dealt with moving. Now it doesn't seem so bad, but I remember at that age it was a really hard time in my life. It was something that I had to cope with for a year and a half before I felt like I had a home again. During that time, this verse was pretty prominent in my life, it served as a reminder that I can make all the plans I want, but ultimately it is God who determines what happens and where I go.

Well, I was reading some proverbs today and what do you know, Proverbs 16:9 showed up. Normally I just pass over it because the verse served its purpose in my life already, yet what is so cool about God's Word is that He can use the same verses to serve different areas in your lifetime. Currently I feel unsure, unsteady, full of thoughts that seem to be everywhere, trying not to constantly question and especially trying not to worry. I have no idea where I am going and what I am doing with school. I know that God is determining my steps, but it is so hard because I feel as though I have no plans. I don't know what to do. People always ask me what I'm doing with my schooling, my life, my job, my future, I have no idea. I kind of hate that question you know? I feel like I have to give a "good enough" answer, like somehow or another this questioner plays a key role in my future or life. Society just seems to tell us we have to have a plan. We have to plan our future or we're going to be in trouble. Honestly what I am realizing by God's amazing grace is that I don't have to have a plan. I don't have to worry about my future. Now, I'm not claiming that you can just live without any regard to your future, because that is foolish. Yes we need to keep in mind our future, but we aren't going to get there by worrying about it or planning it out, because what God has taught me so far in this lifetime is that my plans don't always, actually, rarely happen. What we need to do is, fix our eyes on what God presents to us for today. What is He calling me to do today. You have to take life one step at a time. If you are wise in your present circumstances than you will have a wise future ahead of you.

Another verse that I feel overused in my own life, that I have to still keep in mind is,

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:2

How foolish this statement is. Set your mind on things above? Set your mind on things not part of this world? What complete blindness. Yet that is what God calls us to do. Set our mind on things above this earthly realm. Set it on Christ. Set it on your future glory. Once you do that, nothing else seems to matter here. My future doesn't matter to me unless I know I am working for God's kingdom. The hardest thing for me to do right now is work for His kingdom without having a plan. My plan is right here and right now, write this blog, teach a Bible study in about an hour. What is my plan tomorrow? Study my homework, and then go to work. It is so boring and repetitive, yet this is how God wants me to worship Him and that should be good enough for me.

Well, off I go, to present to my LORD my daily offering: my life.

God bless!

In Christ,

Amber