MIXED MESSAGES

Why is it that we are consistently sent mixed messages by the world? It seems every time I enter the grocery store, the headlines on the women’s magazine shout out: “Lose 10 Pounds.” Yet on that same cover is the photograph of the most delicious piece of chocolate cake smothered in fudge you’ve ever seen. How can that be? It is almost impossible to lose 10 pounds and enjoy that cake! A mixed message has just been sent to millions.

At the repair shop where we like to do business, the mat in front of the door declares, “Welcome”. Yet, as we wait for service which is slow in coming and we must wait endlessly just to ask a question, we feel anything but welcome! Again, mixed messages, the world is full of them.

How do our lives measure up? Do we send mixed messages? Do we say one thing with our words and another with our actions? God Himself longs for us to live out what we say we believe. . . to be consistent in what we say and what we do . . . . Let’s take a look at our words and actions to ensure that we are sending one message - the one God wants to send through us.

Do not yield your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but yield yourselves to God as men who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments of righteousness. Romans 6:13

Heavenly Father, I thank You that your expectations for me are high and that You enable me to do what You expect. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

OUR CONSCIENCE

As you were growing up, when you did something wrong, did you have a horrible sense of guilt? Perhaps you took something which didn’t belong to you. Or you found yourself cheating on spelling tests. Maybe you lied to your parents concerning your whereabouts.

You grew up and that sense of guilt followed you. When you gossiped about a friend . . . when you ran that red light, knowing you had time to stop . . . you weren’t kind to your own child. That sense of guilt was there.

Many would say that was your conscience speaking, telling you clearly what was right and what was wrong. Do you notice that God doesn’t usually send wind, earthquakes or fire to speak to you? He speaks quietly, in your heart. How glad we should be for that small inner voice which points us to the Source of all righteousness - God Himself.

May we listen . . . and heed.

And behold, the Lord passed by and a great strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still, small voice. I Kings 19:11-12

Heavenly Father, please open my inner ear to hear Your voice leading me toward righteousness day by day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

PARADOXES

Have you ever wondered what is going on? Nothing you do seems to turn out right. Your words seem all wrong, your actions seem bumbling and inept. Everything you do seems to turn to mud before your eyes. Nothing seems to go right.

Then at other times it seems like you can do no wrong. Everything you do seems to turn to gold. You have just the right words at the tip of your tongue. You are full of grace, moving through life at a dancing, graceful pace. Life is pure joy.

Isn’t that what life in the kingdom of God is like? Full of paradoxes. Yes, we are merely humans, often stumbling and making mistakes. We can’t even draw a breath apart from God’s kind care of us. We are truly weak and needy as human beings. Yet, on the other hand, we are heirs of God’s riches, co-heirs with Jesus who died in our place.

Ah, the mysteries of God’s kingdom surround us. Let’s enter in and enjoy His
presence.

As for me, I am poor and needy; but the Lord takes thought for me. Psalm 40:17

Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He has promised to those who love Him? James 2:5

Heavenly Father, I thank You for all of the things I don’t yet understand. I thank You that You do! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN

My daughter and I made a rare visit to a clothing shop to find something to wear for a wedding. As we were looking through the racks of dresses, a petite woman in her 80s asked us where she could find her size. Thankfully, we had just come from that department so we could direct her.

Later, as my daughter and I were leaving the store, we noticed that same lady looking around the parking lot for her car. We asked if she needed help but she declined. My daughter and I found our car and headed home, not knowing if that lady had ever found her car or not.

Looking back at the situation, I wish we had waited a moment before driving away. I wish we had watched to see if the woman had really found her car. It was a missed opportunity to do good.

. . . be ready for any good work. Titus 3:1

Heavenly Father, please open my eyes to see opportunities to do good to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

GOLDEN ICICLES

It was the first winter in our “new” home in the village. The first snowfall was a delight, as always. When a surprising December thaw arrived, icicles - grand icicles - began forming on the edge of the roof. Oh, how lovely they were!

Then I noticed that many of the icicles were discolored - a muddy-looking brown. The autumn leaves, still on the roof, had become mixed in with the thawing snow, turning the icicles brown.

Now, we all know that icicles should be sparking and clear so we began looking at those brown icicles with a critical eye. Then upon further thought, I decided to change my perspective. No, those icicles weren’t crystal clear, sparkling in the sunlight, but they did have a certain lovely quality as the various shades of gold dazzled my eyes. I began to enjoy them.

Isn’t it true that often we need to change our perspective about circumstances, too. In order to see the beauty in them, we need to see as God sees. Let’s practice doing that!

To the pure all things are pure . . . . Titus 1:15

Heavenly Father, please give me a heart to see and hear what You already know. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

OUR CHARACTER SHOWS

Once upon a time, my daughter and I visited a local bookstore. As we were leaving, the man in front of us went through the door first, never considering that someone could be on his heels ready to go through the door next. Instead of holding the door open, showing consideration for the next person, he barged his way out the door, letting it slam in our faces.

All I could think was that here was a man who was quite self-centered. He was so preoccupied in his own world and with himself that he didn’t notice anyone around him.

Later, upon arriving at the parking lot, a friend asked if I had seen Mr. X - a politician who had consistently caused problems in the city because of his power-hungry attitude. Even though I didn’t know the man, personally, I knew exactly who was being referred to. The man’s character had shouted loudly and clearly to all who came in contact with him.

I am wondering: What do our lives reveal about our characters as we go about our everyday lives? Something as simple as holding a door open for someone speaks volumes.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control . . . . Galatians 5:22

Heavenly Father, please help me at all times to exhibit Your Spirit who indwells me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

LAUGHTER

On my daily walk in the midst of winter, I began to laugh as the ice crystals pelted my face. The wind was howling across the open fields. The road was slick and treacherous with ice. I found myself laughing in glee, wondering how much worse it was going to become through the remaining days of winter.

When times are difficult, we think we will never laugh at the days ahead. Our tendency is to fret and stew. It’s amazing how the Proverbs 31 woman could laugh at the future. Surely she must have known that the days to come would probably bring laughter as well as tears. How could she laugh, knowing that she would probably experience some heartache in life?

She must have known God is a loving God. One who would clothe her in strength as she needed it! We can be sure of it!

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. Proverbs 31:25

Heavenly Father, please clothe me with all the courage I need. Help me to
joyfully look forward to Your kindness and provision day by day. In Jesus name. Amen.