Enough is Enough

People keep telling you that you should be satisfied.  After all, you have received blessing after blessing and you already have more than some could ever hope for.  Still, you are not satisfied.  There is a gnawing feeling of emptiness.   Something on the inside keeps pushing for more.  You try to suppress it because maybe it is greed.  But maybe it isn't greed, maybe it's God. It can be a hard thing to determine when enough is enough.

In the Bible there is a lesson that can help us with this.  A man named Samuel had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah.  Peninnah had born children with Samuel, but Hannah had not.  Nonetheless, Samuel favored Hannah because his heart was with her.  The Bible says that when Samuel would give his offering, he would give Peninnah and their children portions, but he would give Hannah a worthy portion.  In other words, Hannah was loved and well taken care of and she had everything she needed and more.  Hannah, though, was dissatisfied.  Samuel could not understand why Hannah wasn't happy.  He had given her everything he could possibly give her.  When would enough be enough? Samuel's reaction can represent mistakes that we often make.  For one, Samuel was trying to impose his level of satisfaction on Hannah. He supposed that what would satisfy him, should also satisfy Hannah.  We must understand, though, that God has given each of us our own purpose.  Therefore, our needs will vary as our purposes vary.  Secondly, Samuel was making the mistake of trying to be Hannah's everything.  As much as we want to be and as hard as we may try, we will surely find that we could never be everything to any person. Only God can do that.

Fortunately, Hannah was a wise woman.  With no disrespect shown to Samuel who had been a blessing to her, she sought out what she knew in the core of her being that she was missing. The wisest thing about Hannah'so decision was who she sought out for provision of her need.  She sought out God.  She went to God in prayer about the desire of her heart and he orchestrated events so that she received her desire.

So what can we learn about when enough is enough in this Bible lesson.  We learn that wanting more can sometimes be out of need, not out of greed. We learn that no other person should set the bar for what is enough for us.  We also learned that when we feel like there should be more, like something is missing...the one we should seek is God.  God is the only being that knows whether or not it would be best for us to have what we desire and he is the only one who is not limited in his power to make it come to pass. 

Scripture:
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart

Prayer:
Lord, you have created us for great things.  Teach us to seek you first in all things and help us to go for more with wisdom and purity of heart. Amen. 

 

Sometimes You Have To...

     

There are times when we have to leave.  Circumstances come about in our lives that require us to leave the people and places that we are familiar with.  In these cases, it is not about the grass being greener on the other side of the fence.  It is more of a situation in which you are existing in a grassless place that won't sustain you.  In these cases, staying means certain death.  If your dreams and aspirations are dying because of where you are...if your inner spirit is dying because of where you are...if danger is always looming over you where you are...then, yes, leave. Sometimes we have to leave.

      There are other times, though, that you have to go back. You may not want to deal with it, but it's true.  There are certain situations in our lives that require us to leave for a time. Then, after a while, God sends us back home.  Sometimes your entire purpose for leaving is for you to go out and acquire something that you need to take back to where you came from. 

      In the Bible there is a story about a woman named Ruth. Ruth was the daughter-in-law of a lady named Naomi. Naomi and her husband lived in Bethlehem Judah, but a severe famine hit their town. Staying home would mean starving. They moved to Moab. After a while of living there, it happened that Naomi's husband died. Then her only two sons died also. Only Naomi and the widows of her sons remained. For a time this new place sustained her, but now everything around her was dying. She couldn't stay in that place any longer. It was time to return home. It's hard to go back home when you have nothing to show from your leaving. Naomi was empty and bitter.  In spite of her shame, she returned home.  That's not the end of her story.

     Naomi didn't return alone. One of her daughters in law, a Moabitess woman named Ruth, insisted on leaving her home to go live in Bethlehem with Naomi.  Like Naomi, Ruth left the familiarity of her hometown and braved unknown outcomes.  It was a good choice.  In Bethlehem, Naomi connected Ruth with a family member that helped them rebuild their lives.  Ruth married that man and they had a child. That child was a great grandfather of King David and David was a forefather of Mary, the mother of Jesus.  My God.  These ladies probably never even knew the impact their leaving home had on the world and, equally important, the cruciality of Naomi's return home. Had Naomi never left Bethlehm, her son would never have met and married Ruth. She and Ruth would never have developed their close relationship.  Had Ruth never left Moab, she would never have met and married Boaz and given birth to Mary's predecessors. Like we said, sometimes you have to leave. 

     We also said sometimes you have to return.  Had Naomi not returned to Bethlehem from Moab, her entire purpose for leaving would have been negated.  When she returned home, she thought she had come back empty and broken.  Little did she know that she carried with her a key component of the world's destiny.  Sometimes you just have to go back home.  There could be something that people there need from you. There could be something that you are preordained to provide.

    Lastly, sometimes it's hard to tell which way to go, but the Bible says that God orders the steps of believers.  So, if you are contemplating leaving or thinking about returning, pray that God would make his will for the direction of your life clear.  When he leads, trust him enough to follow.  He will never steer you wrong. 

Scripture:
Psalm 37:23  The steps of a righteous man, are ordered by the Lord...

Prayer:
Lord, if it is your will for us to leave from where we are or to return to where we once were, your will be done.  Please order everything concerning it. Amen.


     

Beyond Zimmerman: Unmoved

I expected a different outcome.   So when I sat at my father in laws retirement party and saw our atmosphere of joy wash away under a wave of grief, I quickly came to understand that my expectation was all wrong.  Some cussed.  Some cried.  Mouths dropped open in disbelief. I was surprised but emotionally unresponsive. I wanted to be angry with Zimmerman and disgusted with our judicial system. I wasn't.  I wanted to cry for Martin and mourn in behalf of my heritage. I didn't.  I wondered what was wrong with me.  For lack of a better word, I described myself as being numb.  But I knew that wasn't right.  Numbness indicates that there is underlying pain that is being blocked from surfacing. It indicates a lack of sensitivity.  But I am very sensitive. I am sensitive to the unexpected loss of a life. I am sensitive to families and friends going about their daily life and in an instant something happens that changes everything.  I am sensitive to people.  All people.  No, I am not numb.

Though, I didn't know what state of mind I was in  There were things that I did know. I knew that Martin didn't wake up that morning expecting to cross paths with death. I knew that Zimmerman had no clue that the choices he would make on that day would affect a nation. I knew that only God knows the truth of the moment and the intent and the heart of both parties involved.  And I am absolutely certain that what we hide from one another we can never hide from God and if there is any blood on our hands it will be required of us.  

Who do we blame?  Do we blame Martin because he is gritty, black, and street?  Do we blame Zimmerman because he is seedy, noncompliant, and suspicious?  Who do we blame!?! The Bible says that people are not the source of the evil around us.  The principals and powers that are at work in and around us are the true enemies.  On the morning, that a young man lost his life, Zimmerman pulled the trigger. Still, he was more of a vice than a culprit.  Zimmerman overpowered someone defenseless, because he was defenseless against a power that was greater than him.   The initiator, the aggressor, the dominator and the winner of that tragic day was fearfulness. It is one thing to have fear.  It is another thing for fear to have you.  Fear is intended to be an indicator that something in our lives is off and we need to get God involved.  Fearfulness is when you let the spirit of fear overtake you. Fearfulness is a dangerous and cruel master.  It steals your peace, makes you feel powerless, and makes you self-preserve out of the fear that God will fail you.  What's worse is that fearfulness is misleading.  It deceives you into believing that you can control things, but when you take the situation into your own hands instead of giving it over to God, things tend to get far worse.  Like a plague, it is also contagious.  Fear begets fear. When Zimmerman was found not guilty, people became hurt, angry, and resentful.  The root of hurt, anger, and resentment is fear.  People feared that other people   who don't respect the lives of all human beings could possibly have more control over them than God. That is only as true as you make it.  If you choose to handle your life your way or this world's way, then you and this world is all you have to lean on and trust in.  If you choose to submit your life to God, truly submit your life to God in word and in deed, then God will see to it that you are taken care of. 

Anyway, I've figured it out.  I am not insensitive.  I am not emotionless or numb.  I just believe God.  He is who he says he is.  He will do what he says he will do.  God has the final say.  We will all stand before him and answer for the choices and decisions we have made in our lives.  Whether or not the stystem that I am under here on earth is for me, God is for me.  He is my defense.  He's never lost a case. I am unmoved.

Scripture:

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things, if If God is for us, who can be against us?
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me
Proverbs 3:5-7
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.


Prayer:
Help us not to commit evil for evil but to overcome evil with good.  Help us to see what is going on around us through your eyes.  Strengthen us in our love for you and our love for one another.

Live

Are you feeling lost? Are you on the verge of giving up?  No one has been able to pull you up from the murky emotional swamp that you are stuck in.  No one even bothered to notice that you were drowning. You feel so far gone that you have even considered taking your own life.  Don't.  You are not alone.  I am praying for you right now. 

What's more important is God is there with you.  He knows exactly where you are in your life and he has the power to change things.  So why haven't you been saved already, you ask.  The answer is: you have been. 

Let's clarify something first.  God doesn't create horrific lives to teach us lessons.  So don't think God is punishing you. The truth is the way people's lives are working are the direct result of the choices people in their lives have made or the result of choices they have made themselves.  Often we, or people who are in our lives, make choices that draw us and others around us nearer to death.  But God longs for us, and the people in our lives, to make choices that give us and others around us life.  It would be nice if God could just force us to think and act like he does.  But when he created the earth, he gave us dominion over two things: the earth and ourselves. Well, if God has given over control, how can he help you?  God is still way bigger and more powerful than all of the earth.  His power is not diminished.  For that power to be released in your situation, you have to give authority of your life back over to him. God wants to help.  He wants you to live and not die. Invite him to handle the things that are tearing your life apart. It only takes a prayer.

Prayer:

Lord, my life is more than I can stand. I give myself and everything that concerns me over to you.  Restructure, redesign, and redefine my life for goodness and godliness.  Protect me in all things and draw me closer to you everyday. Today, Jesus, I choose you as my Lord and savior. Amen.

Scripture:

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved.

1 Peter 5:6-7  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,  casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Psalm 118:6 The Lord is on my side, I will not fear.