September 18
Scripture focus: Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn't think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your own way. You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "he's a fiercely jealous lover." And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that "God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble." So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him camper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet. James 4:1-10 (The Message)
Admittedly, the woman in yesterday's devotional appears to have traipsed across and even trampled a bunch of boundaries. So would a class on boundaries or hiring a boundaries tutor fix her problems?
Here's another thought to ponder. What if her bad boundary behaving is a reflection of her willingness to cheat on God? What if her boundary blunders are more symptomatic than they are problematic (although lying, cheating and stealing are big problems)?
Since she's a spiritual woman, there have been times when she's been able to get in touch with feelings of guilt and shame over her choices. She's also clearly bitter about the second husband's departure.
But here's the issue that I have encouraged her to consider. Although God clearly gives us instructions (limits/boundaries) for right living such as: don't lie (At a minimum, wasn't she lying to herself when she married a man with a history of infidelity, not to mention her own issues in that area, expecting the marriage to magically succeed without working on the "issues" related to the cheating?), don't cheat (obviously she did that), don't steal (Isn't spending more than we make really stealing from someone? Aren't we cheating someone when we can't pay our debts?) he doesn't require us to do so in order to win his love. However, God does ask us to trust him. Her choices may be more indicative of her state of trust than her innate ability to live within limits.
Tune in tomorrow for further discussion about why her boundary boo boos may be more of a spiritual malady than she thinks.
Recommended reading: Nehemiah 1-3
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2009 NorthStar Community
2 comments:
"when we begin to believe that G-d's plan for our lives is to improve our relationships and circumstances now, churches quickly fill with people who focus on the primacy of personal need, evaluate G-d's goodness in terms of meeting those needs, and subtly move to justify anything that feels like it's from G-d.
the passion for the abundant life, however we define it, can become greater than a passion for the Lord. that shift is subtle but humanistic if our real goal is easing our pain, meeting our needs, and speeding up our recovery without basing our actions on a desire to love and worship G-d.
it's easy to view G-d as the One who heals those needs rather than the One who deals with the sin that leads to eternal spiritual death. it's easy to say that the hope of G-d improving our lives is what sustains us rather than taking the biblical position that the hope of eternal glory makes our suffering bearable." (False Intimacy, pg.158,Dr. Schaumberg)
i am guilty on all counts. each and everyday, i know G-d is going to shine His light into ever deeper recesses of my heart. He wants to give me a heart of flesh for my heart of stone. He wants to place His covenant of Love on the tablet of my heart. He is Loyalty and Faithfulness, and He wants me to be more surrendered each day to look more like Him, My Father-for Him to become my family of origin.
Part of my recovery/rehab is to no longer overdose on false 'grace.' Grace, as i understand it (now, in a limited fashion)is applied after confession-not in place of. Confession becomes a little easier for me when i embrace fear/respect and love for Him as He gives me the ability to do so. He has surely rescued me from the pit.
A. 'Nanny' Mouse
Well said, A. Healing needs without healing the sin that caused the needs is temporary and just leaves us in a circle of shame and unbelief in the grace so freely given us.
Post a Comment