Though the pastor was speaking, I can't say I was listening to him in church today. Instead, I was glued to something he had only briefly touched on at the very beginning of the sermon. I was stuck to what he said about the fig leaves Adam and Eve used to cover their nakedness. Let me try and convey all God showed me this morning.
So we know the story. Along with all of nature,Adam and Eve are God's creation. All is well in Paradise as the two people enjoy the perfect unity with their God and with one another until Satan deceives the two people under the disguise of a serpent. Adam and Eve can now distinguish good from evil, they realize their nakedness, hide from God, and attempt to cover up with fig leaves.
This is where it gets good.
Apparently, fig leaves can leave you pretty itchy if they touch your skin. Adam and Eve probably didn't think through this decision in their frantic search for anything to cover their nakedness before God saw them. There were probably an ample supply of fig leaves in the garden, because the trees would eventually grow new fig leaves were the others had been picked off. These leaves are symbolic of our human tendency to cover mistakes, insecurities, sin, pain, etc. They were not created to cover; the leaves did not do what Adam and Eve needed.
I doubt we'll see anyone running around in actual fig leaves today. But if fig leaves are anything we use to cover our mistakes, shortcomings, insecurities, etc, I'd say they're more common than we think: "If only I could lose that 15 pounds!", yelling at your children for not listening to you, wearing provocative clothing to get attention, controlling the atmosphere of the room you're in, watching pornography, obsessive health practices. Some of these things are more overtly wrong than others, but how exactly are these things, among many others, like fig leaves?
Fig leaves can be any action, thought, or perception we do/have to cover, make right, or cope; but these things do not suffice. Instead, they only work as a megaphone through which we both cry out our need for God and the refusal of His grace.
God had a different plan. Instead of providing itchy plants for Adam and Eve, He gave them clothes made from the skins of animals. Instead of the plentiful fig leaves the two had been using before, something had to die in order to cover Adam and Eve in a suffecient way. In God's eyes, nothing else would do. It was the only option, and it delighted Him to provide for them. God's reaction to Adam and Eve's sin is a prime example of His reaction toward our sin. When God found out what they did, He brought justice to all involved in the mess of sin and made garments of skin, and clothed Adam and Eve. Blood was shed, but a suffecient covering was made. All of this went against God's original design for humanity. He didn't originally write sin, death, and trials into the story. But His actions toward Adam and Eve in their sin shows me God's desire to be with us as close to normal as possible, even if that means detering from the original plan. He wants relationship with us that bad.
But what is normal anyway? I can say that the pattern of Christianity today is NOT what God sees as normal. Normal is God's original design for His relationship with humans and their relationship with one another. He designed both arenas of relationship to be bound in perfect unity and intimacy with Him. He provided for Adam and Eve and they walked with Him, enjoying one another, the presence of their God, and the beauty of His creation. Nothing, I can imagine, was done for the self but was instead directed toward God and one another. This was God's design. This was Paradise.
So Adam and Eve were given animal skins to cover their nakedness. They wanted to hide their mistake from God; but He already knew. After speaking with them and bring justice to the big mess, He supplied them with a covering. Just like Adam and Eve, I don't think we bring our mess to God. Instead, we act in rebellion to God's pattern and create our own coverings through the way we act, think, and feel. Like the itchy fig leaves, those coverings do not suffice to meet our need for grace, the true covering we need for our every mistake, insecurity, pain, and sin. We cover up with these outward actions so that we do not have to stand before God in our nakedness. We're shameful, embaressed, and regretful. We point fingers and attempt to shift the blame and focus to others. But really, God doesn't receive us in the way we deserve or in the way we perceive Hw ill. Instead of casting us away from His holy presence, He makes up for our mistakes so that He can walk with us again--for I believe that may be His only desire.
Can we really continue to rebel against our God's only desire, a desire that carries even blessings of joy, peace, comfort, guidance, protection, and provision for the ones who messed it all up in the first place? We think we're doing well in being dictators of cleanliness in our homes when we really need God's grace to cover our fear of losing control and thus becoming like the ones who've hurt us so deeply; we think we're doing well in pouring time into our appearance, being sure to always eat well and look decent when we really need God's grace to cover our insecurities, fear of martial unfaithfulness, and fear of being left alone yet again; we think we're doing well in gaining more and more knowledge when we really need God's grace to cover our reluctance to trust Him and wlak with the assurance of His Word in faith. We think we're doing well, but really, we're only wearing feeble fig leaves that fester uncomfortable itching. In reality, the leaves do not even cover at all. They're LEAVES. With one gust of wind, unexpected storm, or sudden change, the leaves drop and we're left naked before God and before man, pushing us to run from God and leaving us to franticly grasp for covering like Adam and Eve did that very first time. The leaves we use to hide from God and from man do not cover us like we so desperately need, and really, they only make that nakedness that much worse.
God desires life to go back to normal, where He walks with His people together as His people walk with one another. Our coverings just don't suffice to grant Him His desire, nor do they provide the Stuff of God we truly need. Only grace will do.
Does grace only cover? No! When accepted and allowed to spread into every dakr, dusty, broken, cob-webbed, aching, empty, stained part of your heart, it transforms. When one abandons all his or her self--the sin, fear, perceptions, habits, emotions, joys, wounds, dreams, hopes--and receives the grace of God into a surrendered being, God's original plan is restored. We can walk with Him in perfect unity and deepening intimacy and reflect this beauty in relationship with others. And when we walk in GOd's original design for humanity, everything changes.
Our makeshift coverings point to our need of God's grace to cover and to transform the parts of us we wish He didn't know about us and hope no one ever discovers. Why are we content to sneak around our need of God's grace in itchy fig leaves when God offers a suitable covering out of His desire to be with us? We must swollow our pride, declare our undying need of God's help, and walk in humility and receive His ready supply of covering and transformation.
Grace is the place where old becomes new, dark becomes light, Martha becomes Mary, Saul becomes Paul, Jacob becomes Israel, scarlet becomes snow==and there our God longs to be gracious. God knows you're hiding from Him int he bushes and already sees your covering of fig leaves. Step out, and receive His grace. You're safe, and in doing this, you grant the desire of your Creator.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Faithful and True
This morning, I woke up to an overcast, heather-grey sky that seemed to stretch for miles upon miles. The clouds casted a shadow on everything in sight and creation stood with a dull and frigid rigidity. In no way did my window view tempt me to escape the warmth of my bed and seek the outside world. And as a lover of all-things-morning, I sure did wonder what the sunrise looked like, but the clouds obstructed my view. Interestingly enough, God used this drab scene to get my attention.
This drab morning "skyscape" resembles so much that goes on in life! Our everyday lives on earth seem to change just as frequently as the weather. One day we're chipper, happy-go-lucky, and brimming with joy. But just as quickly as that kind of wonderfully sunny day can come, we scuff around in the dumps of emotion, barely able to genuinely smile at the people that pass us by. We're fickle! But despite these rapid changes, we can be sure of God's consistent character:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6
And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.
Revelation 19:11
For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute. In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:16-20
The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.
Deuteronomy 23:4
O LORD God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.
Psalm 89:8
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.
Deuteronomy 7:9
God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:9
Scripture tells the beautiful story of God's undeniably perfect faithfulness, and we can trust that God will never go back on His Word because it is true! Though our perception may suggest otherwise, God isn't the One who is changing in our daily lives. He is more faithful than the sun in the sky! It is the clouds that are fickle. We cannot--We must not!--base our perception of who God is and what He is like on the way we feel, our circumstances, or what other people say. When I wondered what the sunrise looked like behind the clouds this morning, I remembered other sunrises I have seen before. There is a pattern of faithfulness in the rising and setting of the sun each day. In the same way, God has a pattern as well and His story is found the only reliable source of truth--the Word of God. Feelings and circumstances are always changing but the character of God is faithful. The sun is the constant; the clouds are the variables.
But do be have to be bound to the likeness of the fickle clouds that are always changing? Should we resemble the heather-grey clouds that cast a drab shadow or the Source of Light hidden somewhere beneath the thick layer of clouds? Though I believe God is aware of our weak, human flesh (Psalm 103:14), I wonder if He has a greater plan for us than allowing our emotions and circumstances cloud the incandescent light He wishes to shine through us:
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Ephesians 5:1-2
Do all things without grumbling or disputing so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.
Philippians 2:14-16
It's all too typical to respond to life's clouds with melancholy attitude, slumping through the overcast day until the sun pierces the horizon again. Yes, we have human emotions, and yes, life circumstances often bring pain, sorrow, and frustration; but shouldn't the reliable reputation and perpetual presence of the faithful character of God be enough to find joy in everyday life? The Almighty-God, Creator of the universe, Maker of everything is always with us and always loves us! He sustains our breath and keeps our hearts beating! He has so graciously given us a beautiful planet to live on, packed full of color and life! No matter how thick the clouds are and no matter how long the Son hasn't been seen, all His promises are still true and the clouds cannot last forever. There is always a reason to praise God, and in that, can't we always offer Him rejoicing lips out of a grateful heart?
Though I think it's safe to say that we prefer sunny, blue-sky days where joy comes easily, we can rest assured of God's faithful promises, no matter how thick the clouds may get. God is always Faithful and always True. And with that blessed assurance, I can smile.
Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, LORD, my faithful God.
Psalm 31:5
This drab morning "skyscape" resembles so much that goes on in life! Our everyday lives on earth seem to change just as frequently as the weather. One day we're chipper, happy-go-lucky, and brimming with joy. But just as quickly as that kind of wonderfully sunny day can come, we scuff around in the dumps of emotion, barely able to genuinely smile at the people that pass us by. We're fickle! But despite these rapid changes, we can be sure of God's consistent character:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6
And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.
Revelation 19:11
For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute. In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:16-20
The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.
Deuteronomy 23:4
O LORD God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.
Psalm 89:8
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.
Deuteronomy 7:9
God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:9
Scripture tells the beautiful story of God's undeniably perfect faithfulness, and we can trust that God will never go back on His Word because it is true! Though our perception may suggest otherwise, God isn't the One who is changing in our daily lives. He is more faithful than the sun in the sky! It is the clouds that are fickle. We cannot--We must not!--base our perception of who God is and what He is like on the way we feel, our circumstances, or what other people say. When I wondered what the sunrise looked like behind the clouds this morning, I remembered other sunrises I have seen before. There is a pattern of faithfulness in the rising and setting of the sun each day. In the same way, God has a pattern as well and His story is found the only reliable source of truth--the Word of God. Feelings and circumstances are always changing but the character of God is faithful. The sun is the constant; the clouds are the variables.
But do be have to be bound to the likeness of the fickle clouds that are always changing? Should we resemble the heather-grey clouds that cast a drab shadow or the Source of Light hidden somewhere beneath the thick layer of clouds? Though I believe God is aware of our weak, human flesh (Psalm 103:14), I wonder if He has a greater plan for us than allowing our emotions and circumstances cloud the incandescent light He wishes to shine through us:
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Ephesians 5:1-2
Do all things without grumbling or disputing so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.
Philippians 2:14-16
It's all too typical to respond to life's clouds with melancholy attitude, slumping through the overcast day until the sun pierces the horizon again. Yes, we have human emotions, and yes, life circumstances often bring pain, sorrow, and frustration; but shouldn't the reliable reputation and perpetual presence of the faithful character of God be enough to find joy in everyday life? The Almighty-God, Creator of the universe, Maker of everything is always with us and always loves us! He sustains our breath and keeps our hearts beating! He has so graciously given us a beautiful planet to live on, packed full of color and life! No matter how thick the clouds are and no matter how long the Son hasn't been seen, all His promises are still true and the clouds cannot last forever. There is always a reason to praise God, and in that, can't we always offer Him rejoicing lips out of a grateful heart?
Though I think it's safe to say that we prefer sunny, blue-sky days where joy comes easily, we can rest assured of God's faithful promises, no matter how thick the clouds may get. God is always Faithful and always True. And with that blessed assurance, I can smile.
Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, LORD, my faithful God.
Psalm 31:5
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Love them Like Jesus
The love of her life is drifting away
They’re losing the fight for another day
The life that she’s known is falling apart
A fatherless home, a child’s broken heart
You’re holding her hand, you’re straining for words
You’re trying to make sense of it all
She's desperate for hope, darkness clouding her view
She's looking to you
Just love her like Jesus, carry her to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions
Just know that He loves her and stay by her side
Love her like Jesus
Love her like Jesus
The gifts lie in wait, in a room painted blue
Little blessing from Heaven would be there soon
Hope fades in the night, blue skies turn to grey
As the little one slips away
You’re holding their hand, you’re straining for words
You’re trying to make sense of it all
They’re desperate for hope, darkness clouding their view
They’re looking to you
Just love them like Jesus, carry them to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus
Lord of all creation holds our lives in His hands
The God of all the nations holds our lives in His hands
The Rock of our salvation holds our lives in His hands
He cares for them just as He cares for you
So love them like Jesus, love them like Jesus
You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus
Love them like Jesus
They’re losing the fight for another day
The life that she’s known is falling apart
A fatherless home, a child’s broken heart
You’re holding her hand, you’re straining for words
You’re trying to make sense of it all
She's desperate for hope, darkness clouding her view
She's looking to you
Just love her like Jesus, carry her to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions
Just know that He loves her and stay by her side
Love her like Jesus
Love her like Jesus
The gifts lie in wait, in a room painted blue
Little blessing from Heaven would be there soon
Hope fades in the night, blue skies turn to grey
As the little one slips away
You’re holding their hand, you’re straining for words
You’re trying to make sense of it all
They’re desperate for hope, darkness clouding their view
They’re looking to you
Just love them like Jesus, carry them to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus
Lord of all creation holds our lives in His hands
The God of all the nations holds our lives in His hands
The Rock of our salvation holds our lives in His hands
He cares for them just as He cares for you
So love them like Jesus, love them like Jesus
You don’t need the answers to all of life’s questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus
Love them like Jesus
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Your Hands
I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away
I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away
I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands
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