Fireflies
?But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy language out of your mouth.? ~Colossians 3:8 As I read through this list I was more humbled and convicted than I?ve been in a long time ? not because I was previously unaware of what the scripture said but because the Holy Spirit has broken my heart lately about my attitude.
?anger, rage, malice?
Though I don?t like to think of myself as an angry, malicious person full of rage, I have to wonder how many people I interact with on a daily basis that might beg to differ ? especially those who know me the best. When there is work piled up all over the house and the kids are just being kids I?m certain that my stress overflows into their hearts and I know they see ?Mad Mommy? more than most. The Lord is letting me know that a few dirty clothes and misplaced toys are not an acceptable excuse for allowing anger to reign in my heart, in my voice or written on my face toward them.
Also, my mother has an illness that ? at times ? causes her to make irrational decisions and forget things. This passage assures me that my frustration with her and even sometimes with God himself about her condition is completely unacceptable as well.
?blasphemy?
Surely I don?t blaspheme God though, right? The Holy Spirit has convicted me in that I now know that every time I choose to worry about my life, my kids, my finances, my mom?s illness, etc. or speak as though I am desperately concerned about his earth?s trials, I blaspheme God. Essentially I deny Him by saying and acting as if I don?t trust Him for my needs or rely on his judgment as being the best possible plan for my life. Does God exist or doesn?t He? Is He God or isn?t He? Those are the questions people must be asking when I don?t trust Him in my struggles.
?They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient and disqualified for every good work.? ~Titus 1:16
?filthy language?
Aaahhhh, yes, we Christians love this one. We don?t say ?bad words? or take the Lord?s name in vain! We wouldn?t think of it! I?ll tell you what I DO do, though, I speak negatively about all those worries of mine and also everyone else?s problems, too. When Paul said, ?filthy language? I believe he meant anything that tears anyone (including self) down. Really, which is worse? A curse word or a general attitude of negativity? Obviously the one I?m most guilty of ? the latter.
The more I study this list, the more I realize how much and how often I do ALL of these things.
Mia was drawing a picture the other day and I asked what it was of and she replied, with frustration, ?I?m drawing a picture of God but it doesn?t really look like Him.? I wonder if Jesus is saying the same thing when His angels ask what He?s doing with me.
Praise God that He?s shown me the truth, though, and given me the remedy:
?Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.? ~Colossians 3:12-15
I have to ?put off? those attitudes, worries and wrong thinking and ?put on? mercy, kindness, love, etc. I must let God?s peace RULE in my heart ? not anger or worry. There?s no magic formula or special talent needed to put off one thing and put on another. It?s simply a choice. It?s a decision every second of every minute of every hour of every day. It?s not about trusting in myself enough to be able to make that right decision every time, it?s about turning to God every single time I sense a wrong thought, attitude or idea begin to emerge from my flesh.
?Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.? ~1Thessalonians 5:16-18
Here?s the choice I have to make each day and in each problem:
?Blessed are those who keep justice, and he who does righteousness at all times!? ~Psalm 106:3
?to be blessed by doing right or?
?Then they despised the pleasant land; They did not believe His word, But complained in their tents, and did not heed the voice of the Lord. Therefore He raised His hand in an oath against them, To overthrow them in the wilderness, To overthrow their descendants among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands.? ~Psalm 106:24-27
?to be dissatisfied with God?s provisions, complain, disobey the Lord and to be separated from God?s favor.
Mia, Addie and Timmy were outside catching fireflies he other night and as it was getting darker Mia said, ?Daddy, I can?t see them until they light up.? Jesus said to ?let your light shine? because the world is looking for a glimmer of hope in the darkness. No one will ever see Christ in me if I don?t light up with mercy, kindness, humility, longsuffering, love, peace and thankfulness. I pray the Lord helps me learn to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry that I might light up more often and others might see Him even in the dark.
?You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ?Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ?Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.? ~Matthew 5:14-16