When good goes to your head...

Today: Ezekiel 28-30

Have you ever had too much of a good thing? Like too much ice cream...only to get a nasty ice cream headache? Or too much exercise...to the point where you could barely walk the next day? (Okay, so I realize those are polar opposite "good things," but the people reading this could have different perspectives.) :)

In today's passage, God has some conversations with people who let good things go to their heads. Let's review His message here:

You used your head well,

worked good deals,

made a lot of money.

But the money has gone to your head,

swelled your head—

what a big head!...

Or here:

Your beauty went to your head.

You corrupted wisdom

by using it to get worldly fame...

Maybe you read these verses and thought, "Well, I'm not like that person. I don't let money, wisdom or beauty go to my head." Perhaps. But take a look at this part of the passage:

You,
a mere mortal,
not even close to being a god,
A mere mortal
trying to be a god...

Okay, so perhaps now you're thinking, "I know I'm not a god. I'm not THAT cocky!" However, I think sometimes even humble humans try to be god-like when they try to take total control over their lives, when they act as if they don't want or need the real God at all.

It's a common human tendency since the beginning of time (just ask Adam and Eve!), but that doesn't make it right. God gives all of us the gift of free will...which means we are as free to choose stupidity as we are to choose wisdom. The good gift of free will is something that can go to our heads just as much as money, wisdom or beauty can.

Instead, let's choose to be thankful for the gifts God gives us, but recognize the goodness in our lives comes from Him. Let's choose to acknowledge God as God...which means understanding we are not. And to be perfectly honest, there is great freedom--a gift actually--in that recognition itself.

Tomorrow: Ezekiel 31-33

Cynics, critics and encouragement

Today: Proverbs 24-26

Today's passage had A TON of insights I could write about, but one pattern I noticed was focused on cynicism, criticism and encouragement.

The highlighted portion of this verse stood out to me:

The person who's always cooking up some evil

soon gets a reputation as prince of rogues.

Fools incubate sin;

cynics desecrate beauty.

Isn't that so true? When we're cynical or critical, we often miss the heart of someone or something else. Think about your best friend, favorite musician or leader--the odds are, that person has been criticized...perhaps for the characteristics that make them absolutely amazing in your eyes.

I thought this verse was also enlightening:

Don't jump to conclusions—

there may be a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.

How many of us need that reminder often? Sometimes we are cynical or critical about things we just don't understand. We could be missing some major factors that, if we knew them, would lead us to a totally different judgment call.

Is it ever appropriate to critique someone else? Yes--but instead of critique or even "constructive criticism," I'd argue that we should offer encouragement to others...we should encourage them to be the people God has called them to be in a way that's challenging, but inspiring and filled with love. Take a look at these verses:

The right word at the right time

is like a custom-made piece of jewelry,

And a wise friend's timely reprimand

is like a gold ring slipped on your finger.

Patient persistence pierces through indifference;

gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses.

I don't know about you, but I've had few moments in life where I would compare a reprimand to a gold ring on my finger. That means that the reprimand didn't feel like a reprimand. These kinds of critiques come from people who actually like us. They are very valuable gifts that make us better...which is why I prefer to label such reprimands as encouragement. (Sidenote: This may sound ridiculous, but I almost picture a person asking for this kind of critique by singing a tweaked version of Beyonce's "Single Ladies" song..."If you like it, then should have put a ring on it.") :)

The point? Encouraging critique has its place. Cynicism doesn't. Dare to see and encourage the beauty and heart in others.

Related post: This is an old blog post I wrote a few years ago on a similar topic and I thought you might enjoy it. Read "The Critics' Corner."

Tomorrow: Proverbs 27-29

Beauty and the might

Today: Psalm 96-102

I may be a little (or a lot!) biased--but I think that I live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Today was no exception. It was a sunny spring today and the Emerald City of Seattle and nearby Whidbey Island was literally sparkling. I saw green trees, a bald eagle, deer, mountains and the ocean. It was a, "Wow--I can't believe I get to be here and see these things and believe in a God who made them all!"

For me, those moments come often when I'm at the ocean. It's incredible to walk barefoot on the beach and see tiny tiny sea creatures and on the opposite side of the spectrum, to see the effects of powerful tides. The ocean is a beautiful picture of God's power at work.

When I read today's passage, I was reminded of God's power and beauty. Take a look:

God made the heavens—

Royal splendor radiates from him,

A powerful beauty sets him apart.

Bravo, God, Bravo!

Everyone join in the great shout: Encore!

In awe before the beauty, in awe before the might.

Bring gifts and celebrate,

Bow before the beauty of God,

Then to your knees—everyone worship!

Get out the message—God Rules!

He put the world on a firm foundation;

He treats everyone fair and square.

Let's hear it from Sky,

With Earth joining in,

And a huge round of applause from Sea.

Let Wilderness turn cartwheels,

Animals, come dance,

Put every tree of the forest in the choir—

An extravaganza before God as he comes,

As he comes to set everything right on earth,

Set everything right, treat everyone fair.

Tomorrow: Psalm 103-105

Beauty, love and Buckley

Today: Psalm 21-25

The 23rd Psalm is near and dear to my heart. My mom (a former schoolteacher, now principal) taught it to my sisters and I when we were toddlers. Apparently, she taught us the NIV version at about the same time we learned to memorize our address. Family legend has it that one of us (Me? Or my sister Hannah?) got a little bit mixed up and said on at least one occasion, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in Buckley, Washington..." :)

I think it's interesting that this passage was probably the first chapter of the Bible I ever memorized. It says a lot about God and about living your life with Him--things my Mom probably wanted me to know (virtually) all my life. Thank you, Mom, for teaching me this:

God, my shepherd!

I don't need a thing.

You have bedded me down in lush meadows,

you find me quiet pools to drink from.

True to your word,

you let me catch my breath

and send me in the right direction.

Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid

when you walk at my side.

Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.

You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies.

You revive my drooping head;

my cup brims with blessing.

Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.

I'm back home in the house of God

for the rest of my life.

Isn't that good?!?

I think David's depiction of the shepherd's crook is interesting--he wrote it "makes me feel secure." As a shepherd, David knew that the crook was used to provide not only guidance, but protection and correction to a herd--akin to how God's commandments and His Word can guide and protect our lives.

I also adore the idea of God's love chasing after us. Sometimes, people write verses and songs about running and chasing after God. I get what they're trying to say, but ultimately, God first loved us so much that He died for us. That's even more extreme than a chase!

Lastly, David's love for the House of God is definitely noteworthy--he wanted to find a home in it forever. How many people love church that much? David knew that God loved His House. God was there. So David loved God's House. Period.

Tomorrow: Psalm 26-31

Beauty, the brain and brokenness

Today: Job 8-10

Isn't it amazing how real the Bible is sometimes?

We've already read about the tough things Job faced in his life. And in this passage, there are sections that seem downright depressing. Job says things like, "I wish I had never been born!" and "I can't stand my life--I hate it!" He definitely dealt with deep human emotions like grief and a sense of abandonment. However, there's some beauty in the midst of Job's brokenness. I love what he said here about God:

You gave me life itself, and incredible love.

You watched and guarded every breath I took.

But you never told me about this part.

I should have known that there was more to it...

Confession: I've felt exactly that way at moments even though I haven't come close to experiencing Job's tragedies. As humans, we can't fully comprehend the whys of the universe (but we try!). Our minds don't understand how a good God could allow tragic things to happen to good people.

The fact that we just don't get the mysteries of the universe may be a good thing. I, for one, can't fully get the concept that beauty can come from brokenness--much less the idea that the brokenness itself can be beautiful. I can't fully explain things like love, grace or miracles. The fact that I don't know everything is good--because it brings a sense of awe, surprise and wonder to my life. Job recognized that, too, when he said this about God:

We'll never comprehend all the great things he does;

his miracle-surprises can't be counted.

Somehow, though he moves right in front of me,

I don't see him;

quietly but surely

he's active,

and I miss it.

Tomorrow: Job 11-13

Inside-out beauty

Today: Luke 1

"You're beautiful," she said, "I saw you worshipping today and you just radiated with this real, genuine, inside-out beauty. God's beauty. It really blessed me."

She was a (non-weird) middle-aged woman who noticed me at church. I wasn't standing at the front of the stage...probably in one of the back rows of a 40-person choir. I wasn't wearing sparkles, bright color or a ballgown. But this woman noticed me for some strange reason.

This scene happened a few years ago and I still remember it. It wasn't the first time I heard that I was beautiful, pretty, hot, or gorgeous. I'm definitely not perfectly beautiful by the world's standards (e.g. I'm not 5'10" or taller, a size 2 with perfect hair, fake boobs and a perpetual tan)...but I'm not chopped liver either.

I think I remember this compliment partially because she said it with no ulterior motive (I didn't know her well and she wasn't a single guy trying to impress me). But I also remember it because of her strange-sounding verbiage--"inside-out beauty."

Reading Luke 1 today reminded me a bit of that moment. Mary encountered a similar situation with the angel Gabriel who told her:

Good morning!

You're beautiful with God's beauty,

Beautiful inside and out!

God be with you.

In no way am I trying to put myself on the same level as Mary. But I think the whole concept of inside-out beauty is interesting...and Mary exemplified it so much better than I ever could.
I can't imagine being in her shoes.

Can you think of what it would have felt like to tell people, "No, I didn't sleep with my fiancee--this baby is God's Son." Can you imagine the reactions people had to that statement? They probably thought she was crazy, lying or a slut (to be blunt). Pregnancy or sex before marriage was pretty non-existent back then. If it happened, it was definitely hush-hush and shameful. Mary probably received lots of dirty looks and snide comments. Some of her friends and family members might have disowned her. She wasn't perfect--she probably had days when she cried (heck, she was a pregnant woman in the desert with no A/C, pizza or DQ Blizzards on demand).

Here's her response:

I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve.

Let it be with me

just as you say.

Wow. Mary's inside-out beauty was exemplified by her love for God and willingness to serve Him and His purpose. She was unselfish--risking her life and comfort to carry Jesus. But her desire to please God trumped her desire to please people. That's beautiful.

Tomorrow: Luke 2-3