Kneelers Choice

"Wow,  this is crowded.  Was it really this crowded when Jesus was born?"  I had selected my 17 piece white nativity to decorate the shelf of my childhood hutch.  But 17 pieces were too many.  Should I not use all the pieces?  Is that allowed? 

The next day I read Micah 4:1-5.  In the last days the mountain of The Temple will be established as the chief mountain and it will be higher than all the other hills.  His mountain is the best mountain.  People will stream to it.  Nations will go to the House of Jacob's God and He will teach His ways.  He will judge between people and settle disputes for nations far and wide.  Swords will be converted to plowshares and spears will become pruning hooks. There will be no more war.  Everyone will sit under their own vine and tree and not be afraid.  God has spoken.  Other nations may think their mountains are better and may walk in the name of their gods but we walk in the name of the God who is forever and ever. God's way is the best way.

I've just watched the news.  I've reviewed the prayer list from small group.  I've even glanced at Facebook.  It's a stressful, challenging and even a scary world.  As humans we create and use "swords and spears" to feel safe in this scary world.  We put our trust and search for security in temporary things we've created.  Yet the world is still full of tragedy, unexpected turns and downright senseless evil.

How do I get to this high mountain? 

Where is my tree to sit under and be at peace?

Do I just endure this world looking forward to eternity with God? 

Is there relief for today?  If so, how do I get it? 

Are these verses about the future or about today?

Yes.  (I love those "either or" questions that are answered "Yes" because both options are true depending on your perspective.)

When I see the events of this world, I think "Come quickly Lord Jesus".  Come for me, get me outta here,  and take me to the eternal kingdom.  These verses also remind me that that eternal kingdom is available to me on a daily basis in this world.  If I walk in God's way I am promised this eternal future and I will have less discord and His protection in this temporary world.

How do I get to this best place? I need to choose. 

To "de-crowd" my shelf of the nativity pieces, I choose to leave the "kneelers".  I had to put my favorite camel in the box because he was standing.  This year the white nativity reminds me that I need to acknowledge that His Mountain is the highest, His reign is eternal and  God's way is the best way. 

Again and again (because we try to take back control) we must lower ourselves, our selfish selves, so we notice that God is higher and certainly more able to handle the "wild and wooly" world in which we live.

These verses give me hope.  The things of this physical world are temporary, even though my life seems long.  God is higher than all the stress, challenge and fear.  God is eternal and offers me everlasting peace and protection.

It is my choice.  I can choose the best way, to kneel and let God be higher than myself.  Then I will live with an eternal perspective, have less discord and know God's protection.

Thanks4Giving

"How has God worked in your life this week?"  Nearly every week our small group leader asks and too often several moments of silence follow.  It takes a while for us to get into thinking about God's accomplishments rather than our own achievements.  After all, we live in a world that encourages us to do it all, handle it, take credit and pride in accomplishment.

I have pondered Micah chapter 3  for several days.  Micah delivers specific admonitions to the  leaders and the people.  The powerful had taken from the powerless and God knew.  Yet the self-proclaimed powerful replied, "It's all good.  God will take care of us."  (That's my translation,)

Now that's an overly proud response.  In the face of God's justice, delivered by a prophet, the leaders spin it back to God's mercy and protection.  They want to continue to take credit and blessings from God without any of the commitment of relationship.

I read Micah's message was heard and received by King Hezekiah.  His story is in 2 Chronicles 29-32.  Hezekiah gets the designation of one of the few good kings.  He got right with the Lord by reopening and repairing the doors of The Temple.  He resolved to follow the covenant with God.  He recruited Levites to clean up The Temple and report back to him.  He invested himself in the revival by going himself to The Temple for sacrifice and offering.  He organized a praise team.  This revival prepared him to depend on God in the face of his enemies and to lead the people to trust God for their deliverance from the Assyrians (the scary "motorcycle" gang of the Old Testament as a friend once described them).

Hezekiah became so immensely respected among the nations that he lost focus.  When he became deathly ill, he prayed to the Lord who responded with a miracle.  But Hezekiah "didn't respond with true thanksgiving and praise for he had become proud." (New Living, 2 Chronicles 32:25).

How like Hezekiah are we?  We get comfortable in our spiritual life and when the going gets good we forget where the good, all the good, comes!

I think back to that small group question.  Maybe I need to think about:

Is there anything in the past week that has not come from God?  If so, where did it come and why?  Am I trying to take pride and credit when I should be praising God?

I can't let my pride prevent me from focusing on the truth. I think I have control over my life and my time but I do not.  God has given me the opportunity to use time, which He invented, gave and controls.

Every year at a Thanksgiving event, the group members would each share something they were thankful for in the  past year.  Every year mine is the same.  "I'm just glad to be here." I'm a cancer survivor.  I feel like I winked at  tragedy.  God delivered me and it was all God.  I am sure I could not have done it on my own.

God has given me another new day!  Hallelujah!  He provides.  So today's adventure begins with remembering the Source of this day.

God, Thanks4Giving ________________________________.