What Does it Mean to be Set Apart?

In your closet you have an assortment of clothing. Some items are for wearing to important events, some are for casual outings, and others you might wear when painting your living room. You know exactly which items are for which purpose.

In your kitchen you have a variety of utensils. You know which ones to use for cooking, which for serving, and which for storing leftovers. You would never store your leftover spaghetti in the crystal bowl with the silver trim that Aunt Martha gave you for a wedding gift. That isn’t its purpose.

We are like those various items in your closet or your kitchen or your garden shed. All the things you own have been acquired to serve a purpose. You care for your belongings according to their purpose.

God does the same with us. He has designed each of us with a specific purpose in mind.  Before we were ever created, God set us apart for His Kingdom work.

We have been set apart. Think about that for a moment. What does it mean to you that God has set you apart for a purpose that pleases Him?

1 Peter 2:9 says But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

To be set apart for God means to be carefully chosen to perform that particular work that you were designed for. God doesn’t make mistakes. He won’t accidently try to use you for something you weren’t designed to do.

Remember Aunt Martha’s crystal bowl? God knows exactly what to use it for. He won’t use it to contain anything but what He specifically created it to do. No leftover  spaghetti. Nothing that isn’t worthy of the beauty of that sparkling bowl.

It’s the same with you. God designed you for a special purpose and when you allow Him to set you apart and use you for what you were designed to do, you will be like that crystal bowl.  When you are serving the Lord in the way you were created to serve, the glory of God will come shining through you.

And He will be pleased!

It is What it is

Have you heard the phrase “first world problems?”  It refers to the fact that in first world or affluent countries where we have nothing of any real urgency to worry about, we can still find things to complain about.

It’s really quite true. In comparison to the conditions the rest of the world has to face every day, our “first world problems” are of no consequence.

Your car has a flat tire and you have to get a ride to work.

Your electric bill goes up $20 a month.

Your dishwasher breaks down.

You’re having a bad hair day.

All first world problems.

Can you even imagine that someone is Sudan or Syria or __________(fill in the blank with another country who is experiencing war or famine or some other national crisis) could be worried about any of those issues I just listed? Absurd.

And yet we get overwhelmed by these and other relatively insignificant issues every day. We get bogged down by worry about things that are not life and death. We are quick to feel like life is out of control if too many of these things happen at the same time.

I’ve learned a new way to view the first world problems that I face and that’s to say “It is what it is.” Then I proceed to consider my options in dealing with each of the issues as they present themselves.

This past week I’ve had to deal with a fourth week of back pain stemming for an injury that isn’t healing as fast as I would like. I also learned that one of my sons has been diagnosed with diabetes. In addition to those things, I also had to deal with the trauma  of three of my sons being involved in a car accident. Thankfully, they only experienced some bumps and bruises.

I could feel life was closing in on me as these experiences piled up. I could have just given in and allowed myself to shut down and refused to go on. But instead, I chose to engage my secret weapon. I chose to say,” this is my life today. It is what it is. What am I going to do with it?”

What’s going on in your life today? Are you feeling overwhelmed?

Take a fresh approach.  Look at your life.

It is what it is.

What are you going to do with it?

Who Invented Music?

IMG_0277smallI read an interesting article that reminds me how pompous we humans can be. The article was discussing why humans invented music.

What?

I’m serious. It was a complete discourse on why early humans felt the need to invent music.  And then there was the article that talked about whether humans invented music or just discovered it and that it really was a part of evolution as we became more intelligent and found a need for entertainment and community.

Really?

The Bible speaks of music in Genesis. It talks about how Jubal was the father of all who played the harp and flute (Gen. 4:20) Isn’t it interesting that we use the words jubilation and jubilee to talk about joyous celebration?

The Psalms are full of instructions to sing and make a joyful noise unto the Lord.  Singing and making music is a way for us to show our thankfulness to our Lord for all He’s done for us. And in the stories of David and Saul, God showed us that music is also good for our health, both mental and physical. Scientific studies confirm that singing and listening to music reduces stress and makes us healthier. Imagine that!

But just to set the record straight about who in fact invented music, we need only to go to Zephaniah 3:17 to see that the invention of music belongs to God alone.

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.  

God sings over us. He rejoices with loud singing. I guess that settles who invented music. But don’t miss the incredible point here.

Have you ever had anyone sing over you? Have you ever felt the desire to sing over someone else? God has. He is so full of joy when He thinks about you that He can’t contain His joy and He bursts into song. That makes me want to sing!

Psalm 104:33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

Psalm 95:1-2 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

 

Humility or Humiliation?

What’s the difference between humility and humiliation?  In a word – pride.

There are many things that happen to us in our lives. Things that make us feel embarrassed or defensive. It’s interesting to see someone react with humility. It’s refreshing to see the calm peaceful response. How do they do it?

The secret is that they have put aside their pride. They react with humility because they have allowed God to be their source of strength.

If we usually feel humiliated and offended when something negative happens it may be time to examine our hearts. Are we allowing pride to stand in the way of God’s instruction? And are we willing to set aside our own need to be right so that God may work in the situation? Or do we see each situation as a personal attack? To react with humility means to look at a negative situation and ask what God would have us learn from it instead of dwelling on how to get out of it without looking bad.

The scripture is very clear about what God thinks about being prideful.

Proverbs 29:23 A man’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor.

James 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

One Brick at a Time

What if your life was like a brick wall? Each day of your life would be represented by one brick.  Each brick adding to the wall that tells the story of your life.

In scripture there are many references to walls. In most cases they represent the strength of a city or a nation. Some references speak of building up the walls and providing protection while in others the picture is of a nation being destroyed as it’s walls are demolished. There is strength in a well-built wall.

What if each day that you wasted left a hole in your wall? Would there be a lot of gaping holes? But let’s not get rigid about this — some holes might be perfectly acceptable. After all, a few windows here and there would add a nice touch.

But if wasted days are holes and you accumulate too many, you would weaken the whole wall.

What constitutes a wasted day? Perhaps one where you spent more time on yourself than on others. Maybe a day where you procrastinated and never really accomplished what you set out to do. Or it might be times when you spent the day nursing hurt feelings or holding a grudge.

We don’t always get it right, but each day we can purpose in our hearts to faithfully continue building.

One brick at a time.

Ephesians 5:15-17 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Do You Have a Lot of Stuff?

This weekend I went with my husband to a tool collector’s auction and annual meeting. It was a wonderful group of people. The men were very knowledgeable about tools and the women had a vast knowledge of collectibles as well. It was a nice weekend, getting to know some new friends.

On Saturday night they always gather at one man’s home in a large two story barn that he built. He built the barn to hold all his vast collections. There were more interesting old items in that barn than I’ve ever seen. But as I looked at all the walls loaded with stuff I felt a sadness. All that stuff, all that treasure being stored up…on earth.

The scripture says we are not to store up our treasures on earth, but are instead to store them up in heaven where moth and rust will not destroy.

I have no problem with people who enjoy collecting things. I think it’s fun to learn about how things are made and used throughout history. But there was something sad about seeing this man’s life work displayed in his barn and knowing he can’t take any of it with him into Eternity. I overhead several of the older men talking together about what arrangements they are going to have to make for all their stuff when they die. One man teared up and said he didn’t know what to do since none of his children were interested in what he’d spent his life accumulating.  How sad.

It also made me think of the story of the rich young ruler. He asked Jesus what he needed to do for salvation and Jesus ended the conversation with direction to sell all he had, give to the poor and follow him. The young man went away grieved because he was so rich.

I’ve spent the past three decades raising a houseful of boys. We didn’t have the money to spend on expensive toys or extras. What we have isn’t worth much but we’ve still managed to accumulate a lot of stuff over the years. But I have to ask myself if Jesus asked me today to part with my stuff, little as that may be, would I be willing? Is my stuff standing between me and my Lord?

Would I be willing to sell all I have, give to the poor and follow Him?

Would you?

Matthew 6:19-21  Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;  for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Do You Have a Thankful Heart?


What if I were to tell you that I know what God’s will is for your life? Sound a little iffy?

Actually, I do. I can tell you that it’s God’s will for you to be thankful.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

That’s pretty clear. And I didn’t say it, God did.

So what does it mean to give thanks in all circumstances? We’ve heard sermons on how this doesn’t mean we are thankful FOR all circumstances, we just have to be thankful IN them. But really, what is the difference? No, we don’t have to say thank you God for cancer or for tragic accidents, but we can still say thank you God that we don’t walk through any of it alone. We can be thankful for what God will teach us as we walk through. No, we don’t have to like what is happening but we can still find something to be thankful for. In God’s economy, nothing is wasted so each life circumstance has some sort of value in eternity. We might never guess what that value is as we are in the midst of a terrible situation, but God knows the value and must have decided it was worth it or he would never have allowed it in the first place.

As I watched my mother die of cancer over an 18 month period, I had a hard time being thankful. But at her funeral, my father came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Was it worth it? I think if I could ask my mother today, as she sits at the Lord’s feet, she would say it was absolutely worth it.

How do you remain thankful when you are watching a loved one die an agonizing death? Or when a friend has lost a child? Or when a marriage has disintegrated beyond repair? God could have prevented those tragedies and yet, He allowed them. How can we be thankful?

We are thankful that God is still good. We are thankful that God is still a loving, caring God. We are thankful that God walks with us through every step of every journey he calls us to. Life is difficult. We can easily forget to look for the things to be thankful for.

I recently read a book called Lessons I Learned in the Dark: Steps to Walking by Faith, Not by Sight by Jennifer Rothschild. She talks about how she lost her sight at the age of 15 and how she’s learned to be thankful for her life in the 30 years since that time. In the book she says,  “I genuinely thank God for what I do have, because it’s so much greater than what I’ve lost.”

And, Dietrich Bonhoeffer perhaps summed it all up the best when he said,” Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy.”

Life is bittersweet at times and we must never allow ourselves to hang on to the bitter at the expense of the sweet. Thank God today for where you are, because He is right there with you. Sorrow may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Be thankful for the morning!

Still Waters

Have you ever gone to a lake and skipped stones? What happens to the surface when you throw a stone into water? Or how about going on a windy day? What does the wind do to the water’s surface? In both cases, the surface of the water is disturbed.

I  recently read a quote from a German philosopher named Hans Margolius  that said “Only in quiet waters do things mirror themselves undistorted. Only in a quiet mind is adequate perception of the world.”

It’s easy to see the significance of this observation. When we are disturbed or anxious by the things that impact our lives, we have a distorted view of life. We can’t see things as they really are. We must be willing to calm our hearts, casting our cares on the Lord so that we may see and understand what God is trying to show us. The reflection is made clearer by our willingness to let go of our anxiety. The only way that happens is for us to drop our rocks and wait for the water to become still.

The Lord has much to teach us if we are willing to still the waters.

Proverbs 17:27  The one who knows much says little; an understanding person remains calm. (MSG)

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (NIV)

Take the Stairs

At the mall, my husband and I take the stairs as often as possible. We avoid the escalators and elevators because we know that we need the exercise whenever we can get it. Sometimes we get funny looks when we choose to climb a flight of stairs while other shoppers relax as they ride effortlessly to the next level. As they ride, those other folks can casually look around, taking in all the distractions happening in every direction. We, on the other hand, must pay attention to our climb or risk losing our footing and taking a tumble.

I believe our walk with the Lord is the same way. God didn’t design our walk with him to be a mindless ride where we glide along without a thought of where we’re going or how we are getting there. He intended for us invest some effort into growing in our relationship with him. He intended for us to pay attention to our daily walk with each step. We aren’t supposed to begin our life with Christ by taking that first step toward him as we take the first step on an escalator and then just relax and enjoy the ride.

The destination is important, but what we invest in the journey we take to get there is of immeasurable value.

Choose today to be intentional in your relationship with Christ. Choose today to take the stairs.

Philippians 3:12-14  Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

You Are Not a Know-It-All

The dictionary defines a know-it-all as someone who gives the impression of knowing everything. It’s not something anyone would want to be called. Why does it have such negative overtones? I think because we all know that we do NOT know it all and we resent or become annoyed with anyone who acts like they do. It’s an unspoken recognition that we are lacking in something. We can’t possibly know everything so why should anyone act like they do? We can feel threatened by someone who seems to know so much more than we do, especially if they seem to brag about it or flaunt it. It reminds us that we are always going to be imperfect and we don’t need any reminders in that area!

But there is One who is a know-it-all in the best sense of the term. He is called the Omniscient God for a reason. He truly knows everything.

A.W. Tozer said it this way: He knows in one free and effortless act all manner, all spirit, all relationships, all events.

God doesn’t have to try to understand because He already understands everything without a bit of effort.

When you are tired of trying to figure it out on your own, go to God. He already has the answer.

When your life seems to be unraveling and you don’t know what to do, go to God. He already has the answer.

When you’ve really messed up and think there is no way to fix it, go to God. With Him, all things are possible because He already knows everything about your situation.

Don’t hide from God. He already knows anyway. Run to Him and let him heal your hurts and restore your relationships. He’s waiting for you. He is the Know-It-All who loves you.

Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.