I’m ashamed.
I share this with you not as some catharsis or intent to absolve what I’m feeling…just that I need to share it.
Recently on one early Sunday morning I was exiting my local Vons store after picking up a Starbucks coffee. I saw an elderly man holding a War Veteran’s sign with a bucket in front of him and smiled at him as I passed. Not an uncommon sight to see people looking for donations there. As I walked toward my car I felt a pang in my belly about not giving anything to him. I had a few—actually twelve—dollars in my pocket and as I reached my car decided to go back and donate some money. Was I feeling guilt?...somewhat, yeah. I went back and gave him the two singles I had and returned to my car.
As I drove off I felt horrible. Why hadn’t I given him everything in my pocket? How can I be so blessed in life and be so stingy towards the hurting and needy?
My convicting revelation during my drive home was that none of what I was feeling had to do with money. God didn’t give a hoot about my possessions, that veteran’s possessions, or anyone else’s quite frankly. God can provide whatever He wants to anyone He wants at any time if it is His will. I should have given from my heart and not my guilt-ridden emotion of obligation. The truth is…I could have given that man two thousand dollars instead of two and it would not have made a difference in God’s eyes. If I’m not giving from the heart, I shouldn’t be giving...period.
So where does that leave me? It leaves me with the stark realization that I need to be in tune with my actions and the motives underlying those actions.
In Luke 21 there is a very humbling event:
1 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
I am ashamed that I gave out of my wealth…and not a very proportionate amount at that. I am ashamed that I see myself as different than others based on my circumstances. God has chosen to bless me while allowing others to struggle, yet He doesn’t see us any different at all. We are all His creation—His precious creation—and who ends up blessed and who ends up poor or sick or abused are all temporary, worldly circumstances that the Lord holds in His hands for just a moment in time. His plan is greater and grander than any of us can fathom and I am ashamed that I actually take stock in thinking I see things for how they are.
This painful insight has me now on my knees in both shame and humble prayer. The truth is...God doesn’t want any of us to feel shame; rather He wants us to surrender our misplaced human intentions into His sovereign hands. We need to allow our ears to hear God’s words; allow our eyes to see God’s vision; allow our hearts to feel with the empathy God has built in to each one of us.
I know I will continue to stumble through life with wrong deeds and motivations; but I have purposed myself to seek God’s grace and to be open to His direction more each day. I pray for every one of us to be instruments for God’s purposes and not just the recipients of His good gifts.
I don’t really have the answer to the shame I’m feeling other than to say, I thank my heavenly Father that His grace transcends all the errors of my ways and I’ll now humble myself to that grace more than ever.
Greg Morton
© December 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Take It To The Lord In Prayer
Life is definitely more full of little things than the big things…so why is it we tend to only pray about the big stuff? I love how the classic hymn “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” so eloquently states it:
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer
Text: Joseph M. Scriven, 1820-1886
The scriptures say in Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
I take that pretty literally and I believe Paul was saying it literally as well.
I’ve caught myself more than a few times making excuses in the past that I simply couldn’t—or didn’t—find the time for prayer. Truth be told, if you have time to think…you have time to pray. Often times we conjure up an image of what our prayer times should be like: folded hands, bowed head, quiet surroundings, and on and on. Your body language may show your reverence…but you can be just as reverent in your thoughts as you talk to God throughout your day. Your words may convey your sentiments…but language is simply for the benefit of mankind. God doesn’t need words, He needs our truthful heart.
God cares about each of us in our totality. Our lives may be full of all the little things, but God never made any delineation about what was meaningful or trivial. In my book, everything I do, say, think or want is valid to bring up to Him. Do this as well and you will find yourself longing to speak to Him in a more consistent and personal way each and every day.
Blessings!
Greg Morton
© November 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer
Text: Joseph M. Scriven, 1820-1886
The scriptures say in Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
I take that pretty literally and I believe Paul was saying it literally as well.
I’ve caught myself more than a few times making excuses in the past that I simply couldn’t—or didn’t—find the time for prayer. Truth be told, if you have time to think…you have time to pray. Often times we conjure up an image of what our prayer times should be like: folded hands, bowed head, quiet surroundings, and on and on. Your body language may show your reverence…but you can be just as reverent in your thoughts as you talk to God throughout your day. Your words may convey your sentiments…but language is simply for the benefit of mankind. God doesn’t need words, He needs our truthful heart.
God cares about each of us in our totality. Our lives may be full of all the little things, but God never made any delineation about what was meaningful or trivial. In my book, everything I do, say, think or want is valid to bring up to Him. Do this as well and you will find yourself longing to speak to Him in a more consistent and personal way each and every day.
Blessings!
Greg Morton
© November 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Mars and Venus
Some people proclaim that family unity has become fragmented in today’s society by the simple fact that women by the score have become career oriented and the “two working parents” model has become the norm rather than the exception.
Well, there certainly has been a paradigm shift when it comes to the family unit. But can it really be simplified to this one common belief? I’ll give you my take on it (like you could even stop me…)
It is true that more women have entered the work force. Many by choice, but perhaps many more out of simple financial necessity. I don’t agree with the extreme views that women should be “just like” men. Equal in opportunities, in pay, in respect yes…but God made us inherently different—physically and emotionally—and there is just no arguing that point as far as I’m concerned.
What I would like to comment on now is my view on a woman’s place in society. The simple truth is that, yes, there has been a transformation within the family unit due to both parents working. What galls me, though, is the accusing tone of people stating a woman’s place is at home…the old “keep ‘em barefoot and pregnant” mentality. Men have certain innate strengths and characteristics that God has designed for specific purposes. Women, too, have certain innate strengths and characteristics that God has designed for specific purposes. A woman does not relinquish her inborn domestic abilities simply because she tends to a paying job throughout the day. On the contrary, my observances show most women have an uncanny knack for carrying out both functions with stunning proficiency.
God has designed us all to coexist by providing different aptitudes. Male and female aptitudes differ, but are not exclusive. What comes easily and more natural to a man is because of God’s design. The same is true for women. This does not mean, however, there cannot be any cross-over for learning skills in either direction. Women can become physically stronger, develop the “hunter” attitude which men have more instinctually; Men can learn to express emotions and develop the “caretaker” qualities which come so easily to women.
Let me put this all in a more personal context. If we are to only partake in life with our strongest skill sets (e.g. women having a stronger domestic forte, therefore she should stay at home) many of us would not enjoy life as it was meant to be enjoyed. One of my passions is music; specifically writing both lyrics and melody. It’s certainly not my strongest suit…even perhaps way down on the list of skills. Does that mean I should forego pursuing it? Heavens no! I can enjoy incorporating it into my life along with other talents and abilities. This is how a life can become a full life: by utilizing what you are good at and, at the same time, learning new things which touch your heart and bring you joy.
And so it is with everyone in society. Men and women are different, but perfectly compatible by utilizing what they are good at, while at the same time learning new things for domestic reasons, financial reasons, or simply because it brings them joy.
Does God look upon His creation—both Mars and Venus—and smile? I know He does.
Greg Morton
© October 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
Well, there certainly has been a paradigm shift when it comes to the family unit. But can it really be simplified to this one common belief? I’ll give you my take on it (like you could even stop me…)
It is true that more women have entered the work force. Many by choice, but perhaps many more out of simple financial necessity. I don’t agree with the extreme views that women should be “just like” men. Equal in opportunities, in pay, in respect yes…but God made us inherently different—physically and emotionally—and there is just no arguing that point as far as I’m concerned.
What I would like to comment on now is my view on a woman’s place in society. The simple truth is that, yes, there has been a transformation within the family unit due to both parents working. What galls me, though, is the accusing tone of people stating a woman’s place is at home…the old “keep ‘em barefoot and pregnant” mentality. Men have certain innate strengths and characteristics that God has designed for specific purposes. Women, too, have certain innate strengths and characteristics that God has designed for specific purposes. A woman does not relinquish her inborn domestic abilities simply because she tends to a paying job throughout the day. On the contrary, my observances show most women have an uncanny knack for carrying out both functions with stunning proficiency.
God has designed us all to coexist by providing different aptitudes. Male and female aptitudes differ, but are not exclusive. What comes easily and more natural to a man is because of God’s design. The same is true for women. This does not mean, however, there cannot be any cross-over for learning skills in either direction. Women can become physically stronger, develop the “hunter” attitude which men have more instinctually; Men can learn to express emotions and develop the “caretaker” qualities which come so easily to women.
Let me put this all in a more personal context. If we are to only partake in life with our strongest skill sets (e.g. women having a stronger domestic forte, therefore she should stay at home) many of us would not enjoy life as it was meant to be enjoyed. One of my passions is music; specifically writing both lyrics and melody. It’s certainly not my strongest suit…even perhaps way down on the list of skills. Does that mean I should forego pursuing it? Heavens no! I can enjoy incorporating it into my life along with other talents and abilities. This is how a life can become a full life: by utilizing what you are good at and, at the same time, learning new things which touch your heart and bring you joy.
And so it is with everyone in society. Men and women are different, but perfectly compatible by utilizing what they are good at, while at the same time learning new things for domestic reasons, financial reasons, or simply because it brings them joy.
Does God look upon His creation—both Mars and Venus—and smile? I know He does.
Greg Morton
© October 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
The Tell-Tale Heart
No…this isn’t a re-write of the famous Edgar Allan Poe story. This is actually a revelation that came upon me the other morning while driving to work; after I found myself getting angry at every driver on the road that wasn’t driving like me. What’s that all about? Well, that is exactly what led to this self-realization.
Although a tell-tale has numerous definitions, depending on its use, this is one of my favorites that I can relate to. I used to go sailing out of Marina Del Rey and thoroughly enjoyed learning the sport. One of the important pieces of equipment on any sailboat is a tell-tale…a little piece of ribbon or fabric which shows you which way the apparent wind is flowing and to what degree. This not only allows you to “see” what is happening, it enables you to make any corrective actions if necessary.
So what is my tell-tale? My anger. There are numerous Bible passages which speak of anger, but I think James 1: 19, 20 sums it up pretty well, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
When I become angry I need to take note that it’s not just unhealthy with all that churning inside, it’s also a tell-tale that I’ve made something else more important than God. I realize that may seem to be a strange correlation, but this is what was revealed to me. Life will throw at you all kinds of things: unfairness, mean people, calamities…yes, even bad drivers. Granted, there are times a righteous anger is appropriate; as when Jesus saw the temple of the Lord being desecrated by vendors. This, however, is not the anger I deal with on a daily basis. I find myself placing way too much importance and emphasis on “things going right” when I should be focusing on what really matters…my own spiritual walk. I need to be more centered on this and all the blessings God has provided me.
Does God really care if a driver tailgates me or cuts me off on the road? He cares in the personal sense but, bottom line, He would much rather me calmly remove myself from the situation instead of getting all heated up over it.
Of course, there are many tell-tales in life revealing what our actions are really made of. Anger is just one of mine, and they are different for each individual. Pray that God will reveal your tell-tales to you so you can know when you’re veering astray from His will. A more satisfying walk with your Creator may be just that simple.
Blessings!
Greg Morton
© September 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
Although a tell-tale has numerous definitions, depending on its use, this is one of my favorites that I can relate to. I used to go sailing out of Marina Del Rey and thoroughly enjoyed learning the sport. One of the important pieces of equipment on any sailboat is a tell-tale…a little piece of ribbon or fabric which shows you which way the apparent wind is flowing and to what degree. This not only allows you to “see” what is happening, it enables you to make any corrective actions if necessary.
So what is my tell-tale? My anger. There are numerous Bible passages which speak of anger, but I think James 1: 19, 20 sums it up pretty well, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
When I become angry I need to take note that it’s not just unhealthy with all that churning inside, it’s also a tell-tale that I’ve made something else more important than God. I realize that may seem to be a strange correlation, but this is what was revealed to me. Life will throw at you all kinds of things: unfairness, mean people, calamities…yes, even bad drivers. Granted, there are times a righteous anger is appropriate; as when Jesus saw the temple of the Lord being desecrated by vendors. This, however, is not the anger I deal with on a daily basis. I find myself placing way too much importance and emphasis on “things going right” when I should be focusing on what really matters…my own spiritual walk. I need to be more centered on this and all the blessings God has provided me.
Does God really care if a driver tailgates me or cuts me off on the road? He cares in the personal sense but, bottom line, He would much rather me calmly remove myself from the situation instead of getting all heated up over it.
Of course, there are many tell-tales in life revealing what our actions are really made of. Anger is just one of mine, and they are different for each individual. Pray that God will reveal your tell-tales to you so you can know when you’re veering astray from His will. A more satisfying walk with your Creator may be just that simple.
Blessings!
Greg Morton
© September 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
Thursday, August 5, 2010
The Counterpoint of Marriage
(Dedicated to my lovely wife Maria)
I come from a background of music, so I love to make analogies in life based on musical terms; and here’s one of my favorites. “Counterpoint”, by definition, is the art of combining two individual melodies happening at the same time, not played in unison but remaining in harmony throughout the piece.
If there is anything that can describe my blessed marriage of 29 years (which we are celebrating this month)…it is this definition of counterpoint. My wife and I certainly are not in unison most of the time…but that’s a good thing. What makes the marriage so full of life and intrigue is the fact that we do have our own melodies going on at the same time. Have we hit some sour notes along the way?…you betcha. Has our music been dissonant at times…most certainly. When the melodies begin to harmonize, though, you realize what a precious gift it is to share your life with someone else.
The notes—which represent the days of our lives—can change in time and meter, be high or low, be full of rich chords or simply played one at a time. Regardless of how it plays out, the bottom line is we are in a constant state of composing our musical piece of life; we don’t have to be musicians…that’s just the way our creative God has wired us all.
So, if you find yourself playing a different tune from your spouse…count it a blessing. It may take a very listening ear and some effort to begin to harmonize, but it is so worth it. Keep in mind that the musical work we create in marriage is a never-ending piece, filled with more and more intricate movements. Make it a work you can be proud of. God has given us all the abilities to perform in this marriage musical and we need to honor the Great Conductor by performing at our very best.
Blessings!
Greg Morton
© August 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
I come from a background of music, so I love to make analogies in life based on musical terms; and here’s one of my favorites. “Counterpoint”, by definition, is the art of combining two individual melodies happening at the same time, not played in unison but remaining in harmony throughout the piece.
If there is anything that can describe my blessed marriage of 29 years (which we are celebrating this month)…it is this definition of counterpoint. My wife and I certainly are not in unison most of the time…but that’s a good thing. What makes the marriage so full of life and intrigue is the fact that we do have our own melodies going on at the same time. Have we hit some sour notes along the way?…you betcha. Has our music been dissonant at times…most certainly. When the melodies begin to harmonize, though, you realize what a precious gift it is to share your life with someone else.
The notes—which represent the days of our lives—can change in time and meter, be high or low, be full of rich chords or simply played one at a time. Regardless of how it plays out, the bottom line is we are in a constant state of composing our musical piece of life; we don’t have to be musicians…that’s just the way our creative God has wired us all.
So, if you find yourself playing a different tune from your spouse…count it a blessing. It may take a very listening ear and some effort to begin to harmonize, but it is so worth it. Keep in mind that the musical work we create in marriage is a never-ending piece, filled with more and more intricate movements. Make it a work you can be proud of. God has given us all the abilities to perform in this marriage musical and we need to honor the Great Conductor by performing at our very best.
Blessings!
Greg Morton
© August 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
God Is My Plumber
Ok…so I have issues. For some unknown reason I have mini (sometimes not so mini) freak-out moments when we have plumbing problems at the house. Electrical…no problem. Structural, paint, appliances…all no problem. Plumbing—just not sure what that’s all about, but I really wig out when plumbing problems arise. That said, you can imagine how my prayers escalate during those times.
Now that I’m not in the heat of the moment, I can observe a little more objectively the whole scenario. I have to ask myself, “Is it even right to pray for the healing of my house pipes, for gosh sakes?” What kind of corny, selfish prayers are those? Well, I guess God cares about the little things. Jesus stated in the accounts of both Matthew and Luke that God the Father cares about even the sparrow, but even more so His children.
So how does my plumbing really enter into this discussion? It’s all a matter of relevancy, and I suppose there really isn’t anything too small to be praying about. Of course, nobody should be using God as a magic genie expecting Him to grant your every wish. Praying to God is a privilege that should never be underestimated. Not only can we approach Him with anything (yes, even plumbing pipes if you’re so inclined), He sincerely cares about our concerns. It’s pretty tough to find anyone in this crazy life you can approach at any time, on any subject matter, and have a personal conversation.
So what is my point? I think I just wanted to get this neurosis off my chest and admit my faith certainly has some holes in it. Next time the bathtub backs up, or water begins to flow from upstairs to downstairs in a manner never intended…yeah, I’ll be praying once again.
Thank you God that You really do care about the little things.
Greg Morton
© July 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
Now that I’m not in the heat of the moment, I can observe a little more objectively the whole scenario. I have to ask myself, “Is it even right to pray for the healing of my house pipes, for gosh sakes?” What kind of corny, selfish prayers are those? Well, I guess God cares about the little things. Jesus stated in the accounts of both Matthew and Luke that God the Father cares about even the sparrow, but even more so His children.
So how does my plumbing really enter into this discussion? It’s all a matter of relevancy, and I suppose there really isn’t anything too small to be praying about. Of course, nobody should be using God as a magic genie expecting Him to grant your every wish. Praying to God is a privilege that should never be underestimated. Not only can we approach Him with anything (yes, even plumbing pipes if you’re so inclined), He sincerely cares about our concerns. It’s pretty tough to find anyone in this crazy life you can approach at any time, on any subject matter, and have a personal conversation.
So what is my point? I think I just wanted to get this neurosis off my chest and admit my faith certainly has some holes in it. Next time the bathtub backs up, or water begins to flow from upstairs to downstairs in a manner never intended…yeah, I’ll be praying once again.
Thank you God that You really do care about the little things.
Greg Morton
© July 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The Choice Is Yours
Life is about choices. You may even say life is choices. Sure, we all have inborn senses which make up our instincts and intuitions. Our Creator, however, has also made us with free will choice-making capabilities. This “free will field”, if you will, can become a field of harvest or a battleground depending on our choices.
The devil certainly knows this all too well. Apparently even the angels have a certain free will, else the devil would not have been able to fall from grace as he did. This makes him even more aware of our own weaknesses and loves to capitalize on it.
“Common sense” seems to be more of an inherent aptitude with varying degrees in each person. “Experience”, as we all know, is really the great teacher for all of us…hopefully learning from our mistakes and successes. “Wisdom” could be classified as a fusion of common sense amplified by experience.
Why all these definitions and distinctions? Because life is about choices—and I believe it is extremely important to understand just how critical of an area this is for our lives…especially the Christian life.
Let me tell you a story:
A man was walking down the street and noticed his friend in the middle of a four lane highway just standing there; it appeared he was praying although he couldn’t be certain what was exactly going on. Between the passing of cars he yelled at his friend to get his attention. Still, he seemed to simply have his head bowed down in a prayerful manner. After several more shouts he finally got his attention and his friend looked his way. He looked around, waited for an opening in traffic, and trotted on over to the side of the road next to his friend. His friend, bewildered at his actions, asked, “What in the world were you doing out there? You could have been hit; didn’t you realize the danger?” He responded, “That’s exactly why I was praying. I went out in the middle of the street knowing God would protect me from the danger.” His friend somberly asked, “Wouldn’t it have been better to just not go out there in the first place?”
For some reason, many Christians follow this same pattern when it comes to life’s choices. We know full well that God has us in His hands and we can rely on His protection. This doesn’t mean we should knowingly put ourselves in situations where we need to test that protection. We are human and, therefore, flawed. We will be taken in by temptation if the circumstances lend themselves to play on our weaknesses.
Even when Jesus Christ was tempted by the devil Luke 4:13 states that “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.” Re-read that last part…’left him until an opportune time’. This is exactly why we must be vigilant in our prayers to God. The devil will always seek us out to make us stumble; if not this time, he’ll try again later.
I pray for each and every person that they move ever closer to their heavenly Father and pray for the choices they make in life. God will never leave or abandon you no matter what circumstance your choices lead you to…but it so much more glorious to walk in the light than to pray for redemption. Our choices in life either give evil forces a foothold to work with or they eliminate them…the choice really is yours.
Blessings!
Greg Morton
© June 17, 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
The devil certainly knows this all too well. Apparently even the angels have a certain free will, else the devil would not have been able to fall from grace as he did. This makes him even more aware of our own weaknesses and loves to capitalize on it.
“Common sense” seems to be more of an inherent aptitude with varying degrees in each person. “Experience”, as we all know, is really the great teacher for all of us…hopefully learning from our mistakes and successes. “Wisdom” could be classified as a fusion of common sense amplified by experience.
Why all these definitions and distinctions? Because life is about choices—and I believe it is extremely important to understand just how critical of an area this is for our lives…especially the Christian life.
Let me tell you a story:
A man was walking down the street and noticed his friend in the middle of a four lane highway just standing there; it appeared he was praying although he couldn’t be certain what was exactly going on. Between the passing of cars he yelled at his friend to get his attention. Still, he seemed to simply have his head bowed down in a prayerful manner. After several more shouts he finally got his attention and his friend looked his way. He looked around, waited for an opening in traffic, and trotted on over to the side of the road next to his friend. His friend, bewildered at his actions, asked, “What in the world were you doing out there? You could have been hit; didn’t you realize the danger?” He responded, “That’s exactly why I was praying. I went out in the middle of the street knowing God would protect me from the danger.” His friend somberly asked, “Wouldn’t it have been better to just not go out there in the first place?”
For some reason, many Christians follow this same pattern when it comes to life’s choices. We know full well that God has us in His hands and we can rely on His protection. This doesn’t mean we should knowingly put ourselves in situations where we need to test that protection. We are human and, therefore, flawed. We will be taken in by temptation if the circumstances lend themselves to play on our weaknesses.
Even when Jesus Christ was tempted by the devil Luke 4:13 states that “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.” Re-read that last part…’left him until an opportune time’. This is exactly why we must be vigilant in our prayers to God. The devil will always seek us out to make us stumble; if not this time, he’ll try again later.
I pray for each and every person that they move ever closer to their heavenly Father and pray for the choices they make in life. God will never leave or abandon you no matter what circumstance your choices lead you to…but it so much more glorious to walk in the light than to pray for redemption. Our choices in life either give evil forces a foothold to work with or they eliminate them…the choice really is yours.
Blessings!
Greg Morton
© June 17, 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
Friday, June 11, 2010
Pray for Me…Maybe
I came across some country song lyrics the other day which made me take a step back. The song is called “Pray for You”, written and sung by Jaron & The Long Road To Love. At first the wit and humor of the song caught my attention, but after I listened to the song a couple of times…it really started to hit me. Meanings to what we all say in life really are a crucial part of our communication process.
“…Sometimes we get angry but we must not condemn
Let the good Lord do his job, you just pray for them -
I pray your brakes go out runnin' down a hill
I pray a flower pot falls from a window sill
And knocks you in the head like I'd like to
I pray your birthday comes and nobody calls
I pray you're flyin' high when your engine stalls
I pray all your dreams never come true
Just know wherever you are, honey, I pray for you”
Now I have people in my life always telling me they will—or are—praying for me. From this moment on I’ll most likely smile, even if just on the inside, every time I hear that. Chances are it will be very clear as to the meaning and motive of what that person is saying, but it does give me pause as to how we can say what people want to hear, even if our intention is anything but honorable.
As most of you know, I love a good twist on a concept as much as the next guy and I applaud this writer for doing just that. I would like to take it one step further, however. With all seriousness…we should always be very clear when we communicate with others, especially when we step into the role of spiritually comforting, petitioning, uplifting or advising them. When we say, “I’ll be praying for you” don’t make it a flippant or passive comment, make it real…or don’t say it. When it comes to the accountability of a Christian we should always take every situation to heart. Jesus Christ modeled this for us all too well; with a grueling physical outcome, but a glorious spiritual result. We need to remember that our purpose here on earth is to spread the gospel, plain and simple. Within that commission we need to continually fortify each other with support, guidance and prayer. Just remember to pray with the love of Christ in your heart and not fall prey to some country satire.
Greg Morton
© June 11, 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
“…Sometimes we get angry but we must not condemn
Let the good Lord do his job, you just pray for them -
I pray your brakes go out runnin' down a hill
I pray a flower pot falls from a window sill
And knocks you in the head like I'd like to
I pray your birthday comes and nobody calls
I pray you're flyin' high when your engine stalls
I pray all your dreams never come true
Just know wherever you are, honey, I pray for you”
Now I have people in my life always telling me they will—or are—praying for me. From this moment on I’ll most likely smile, even if just on the inside, every time I hear that. Chances are it will be very clear as to the meaning and motive of what that person is saying, but it does give me pause as to how we can say what people want to hear, even if our intention is anything but honorable.
As most of you know, I love a good twist on a concept as much as the next guy and I applaud this writer for doing just that. I would like to take it one step further, however. With all seriousness…we should always be very clear when we communicate with others, especially when we step into the role of spiritually comforting, petitioning, uplifting or advising them. When we say, “I’ll be praying for you” don’t make it a flippant or passive comment, make it real…or don’t say it. When it comes to the accountability of a Christian we should always take every situation to heart. Jesus Christ modeled this for us all too well; with a grueling physical outcome, but a glorious spiritual result. We need to remember that our purpose here on earth is to spread the gospel, plain and simple. Within that commission we need to continually fortify each other with support, guidance and prayer. Just remember to pray with the love of Christ in your heart and not fall prey to some country satire.
Greg Morton
© June 11, 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
Monday, May 24, 2010
CSI File: Evidence of Faith
If you were to die today, would it take a team of expert investigators to find evidence of your faith? Well…hopefully you won’t die; and hopefully the evidence of your faith is so visible and obvious there is no doubt on where you stand in your relationship with God.
The Bible is very clear that we are not saved by works or deeds. It is by the grace of Jesus Christ, evidenced by our faith, that brings our salvation. That said, our faith is defined by our actions. James makes no bones about it:
James 2:14-22
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead…
…Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
Our deeds should be the evidence, and a direct result, of our faith. If we do not stand out as a Christian in this world, we need to revisit where we’re at in our relationship with God.
Philippians 2 states we should “shine like stars in the universe” as we are contrasted by a crooked and depraved generation. Matthew 5 tells us we should be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” so that mankind can see the reflection of God in each of us. These Biblical metaphors are not just there to pretty up the Scriptures; they are meant to emphasize the truth…that our lives should be noticeably different if we claim Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
I pray none of us, as believers, will ever need an investigative team to find evidence of our faith; that our faith will be so obvious there can be no doubt as to who we serve.
Blessings!
Greg Morton
© May 24, 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
The Bible is very clear that we are not saved by works or deeds. It is by the grace of Jesus Christ, evidenced by our faith, that brings our salvation. That said, our faith is defined by our actions. James makes no bones about it:
James 2:14-22
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead…
…Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
Our deeds should be the evidence, and a direct result, of our faith. If we do not stand out as a Christian in this world, we need to revisit where we’re at in our relationship with God.
Philippians 2 states we should “shine like stars in the universe” as we are contrasted by a crooked and depraved generation. Matthew 5 tells us we should be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” so that mankind can see the reflection of God in each of us. These Biblical metaphors are not just there to pretty up the Scriptures; they are meant to emphasize the truth…that our lives should be noticeably different if we claim Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
I pray none of us, as believers, will ever need an investigative team to find evidence of our faith; that our faith will be so obvious there can be no doubt as to who we serve.
Blessings!
Greg Morton
© May 24, 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Understanding God’s Way
God can be a funny guy. I don’t really mean funny, ha-ha…but funny, perplexing in a humorous way. I know full well that God teaches us the things in life in ways we don’t even understand at the time; but in hindsight it all becomes pretty clear.
I was reading the book of Hosea the other day and it struck me as a prime example of what I’m referring to.
Hosea was a prophet, in the 8th century BC, in a time when all of Israel was blatantly disregarding all that was taught to them about serving the Lord. They were practicing Baal worship along with all types of debauchery. Not a good time to be a prophet if you asked me. That said, Hosea was commissioned by God to declare His unfavor to all the land that turned their backs on Him. Interestingly, though, God also commanded Hosea to marry a practicing prostitute and raise her illegitimate children. Together they had several children of their own but his wife, Gomer, continued with her unfaithful lifestyle. Even when she had rejoined a brothel Hosea was commanded by God to purchase her release and continue to keep her as his wife. She was continually unfaithful yet, every time, Hosea was told to take her back.
Basically what God was teaching Hosea was, “Now you know how I feel! Now you can speak with a better understanding”. Israel’s unfaithfulness to God needed to be felt in an intimate way by Hosea in order for him to carry out God’s will.
We all go through some pretty crazy times in life, and it’s usually pretty hard to understand why we go through them. Keep in mind that God may be—and probably is—preparing us for some future commission. Being used by God is truly a blessing but we may just need a bit of divine “understanding” heaped on us before we can tackle and truly empathize with whatever situation we find ourselves in.
Blessings!
Greg Morton
© April 24, 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
I was reading the book of Hosea the other day and it struck me as a prime example of what I’m referring to.
Hosea was a prophet, in the 8th century BC, in a time when all of Israel was blatantly disregarding all that was taught to them about serving the Lord. They were practicing Baal worship along with all types of debauchery. Not a good time to be a prophet if you asked me. That said, Hosea was commissioned by God to declare His unfavor to all the land that turned their backs on Him. Interestingly, though, God also commanded Hosea to marry a practicing prostitute and raise her illegitimate children. Together they had several children of their own but his wife, Gomer, continued with her unfaithful lifestyle. Even when she had rejoined a brothel Hosea was commanded by God to purchase her release and continue to keep her as his wife. She was continually unfaithful yet, every time, Hosea was told to take her back.
Basically what God was teaching Hosea was, “Now you know how I feel! Now you can speak with a better understanding”. Israel’s unfaithfulness to God needed to be felt in an intimate way by Hosea in order for him to carry out God’s will.
We all go through some pretty crazy times in life, and it’s usually pretty hard to understand why we go through them. Keep in mind that God may be—and probably is—preparing us for some future commission. Being used by God is truly a blessing but we may just need a bit of divine “understanding” heaped on us before we can tackle and truly empathize with whatever situation we find ourselves in.
Blessings!
Greg Morton
© April 24, 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Set It, And Forget It!
Sometimes in the wee hours of the morning—after hours of reading my Bible...(well, ok… maybe I was simply staying up late because I’m still a teenager at heart) I still see some classic infomercials on TV selling their wares. One of the timeless infomercials who’s slogan stuck with everyone, and is still used to this day, is “Set it, and forget it!”. Who knew that a rotisserie appliance could make its mark in history like that.
It got me to thinking, though, that Christianity is often approached in the same manner. We “Set it, and forget it”. I suppose you could spin it to say, “Salvation, then vacation”. It’s pretty easy to get complacent or unmotivated when your eternal destination has already been established. Some are blessed with an uncanny fervor to grow and grow in their relationship with God. For some of us…getting a bit too comfortable and lax crops up years later.
In Acts we find that the disciples Peter and John were going into the public courts, not long after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, and teaching all of Jerusalem about the power of Jesus Christ; they were healing in Jesus’ name and converting people by the thousands. The Sadducees, that priestly group of highbrowed mucky-mucks, commanded them to stop. Of course they said they wouldn’t…that their loyalty was with God, not man. They kept at it every day and were even imprisoned, only to be divinely set free much to the amazement of the Sadducees that put them there. When they found them once again in the temple courts praising God and converting people they….well, Acts 5:40-42 says it best:
“…They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”
Wow! Flogged and praising God for it. The “Set it, and forget it” motto just doesn’t enter the picture when you are truly filled with the Holy Spirit. I wish I could claim to have the same zeal and commitment Peter and John displayed, but I struggle daily all the same. I do know, however, that I will never take my salvation for granted like a one-time purchase off an infomercial.
I pray for every believer, myself included, that the Holy Spirit will energize and revitalize each and every one of us and that we can take that pride of salvation to every listening ear. After all, that’s what we’re all here for.
Blessings!
Greg Morton
© March 14, 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
It got me to thinking, though, that Christianity is often approached in the same manner. We “Set it, and forget it”. I suppose you could spin it to say, “Salvation, then vacation”. It’s pretty easy to get complacent or unmotivated when your eternal destination has already been established. Some are blessed with an uncanny fervor to grow and grow in their relationship with God. For some of us…getting a bit too comfortable and lax crops up years later.
In Acts we find that the disciples Peter and John were going into the public courts, not long after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, and teaching all of Jerusalem about the power of Jesus Christ; they were healing in Jesus’ name and converting people by the thousands. The Sadducees, that priestly group of highbrowed mucky-mucks, commanded them to stop. Of course they said they wouldn’t…that their loyalty was with God, not man. They kept at it every day and were even imprisoned, only to be divinely set free much to the amazement of the Sadducees that put them there. When they found them once again in the temple courts praising God and converting people they….well, Acts 5:40-42 says it best:
“…They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”
Wow! Flogged and praising God for it. The “Set it, and forget it” motto just doesn’t enter the picture when you are truly filled with the Holy Spirit. I wish I could claim to have the same zeal and commitment Peter and John displayed, but I struggle daily all the same. I do know, however, that I will never take my salvation for granted like a one-time purchase off an infomercial.
I pray for every believer, myself included, that the Holy Spirit will energize and revitalize each and every one of us and that we can take that pride of salvation to every listening ear. After all, that’s what we’re all here for.
Blessings!
Greg Morton
© March 14, 2010
To view a printable copy of this commentary click here
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Teenagers…The Perfect Storm
(Reprint of one of my 2001 anecdotes which I thought I’d share)
You have set to sea in a well built, well prepared ship with all the provisions you could possibly need. The navigation and course have already been predetermined by careful and thoughtful preparation. The waters are calm; the sun is reflecting off the waves like a glittering pathway set before you…and the journey begins.
After some time of enjoying the exhilaration of it all, you spot a darkness on the horizon. Nothing to cause concern or panic…just a possible unintended “event” in the journey. A simple change of course and all should be well. The gloom, however, begins to surround your vessel. The once gentle listing of the boat becomes more of a rocking and the spray begins to hit the deck with regularity. The new course you have navigated seems to have led you to just another wall of dark clouds and stronger winds. The radio which worked flawlessly on the pre-trip inspection now sounds like your old AM car radio while driving through an underpass. This was not the plan; this is not what you meticulously prepared for.
The weather now turns violent and, in response, the waves transform into ominous walls of sea. Crashing down upon you there is no choice but to ride it out…hope…and pray. Although it is contrary to instinct, you must steer directly into the waves in order not to capsize. You can not force the steering with a rigid determination because this will lead only to certain doom. You guide it with only a sampling of direction—never taking your hand off the wheel—but letting nature do what it must.
As soon as you think you can endure no more…the winds subside; the waves begin to calm; the clouds begin to thin and rays of light break through to warm your skin. You have just passed through raising a teenager…the Perfect Storm.
Greg Morton
© 2001
You have set to sea in a well built, well prepared ship with all the provisions you could possibly need. The navigation and course have already been predetermined by careful and thoughtful preparation. The waters are calm; the sun is reflecting off the waves like a glittering pathway set before you…and the journey begins.
After some time of enjoying the exhilaration of it all, you spot a darkness on the horizon. Nothing to cause concern or panic…just a possible unintended “event” in the journey. A simple change of course and all should be well. The gloom, however, begins to surround your vessel. The once gentle listing of the boat becomes more of a rocking and the spray begins to hit the deck with regularity. The new course you have navigated seems to have led you to just another wall of dark clouds and stronger winds. The radio which worked flawlessly on the pre-trip inspection now sounds like your old AM car radio while driving through an underpass. This was not the plan; this is not what you meticulously prepared for.
The weather now turns violent and, in response, the waves transform into ominous walls of sea. Crashing down upon you there is no choice but to ride it out…hope…and pray. Although it is contrary to instinct, you must steer directly into the waves in order not to capsize. You can not force the steering with a rigid determination because this will lead only to certain doom. You guide it with only a sampling of direction—never taking your hand off the wheel—but letting nature do what it must.
As soon as you think you can endure no more…the winds subside; the waves begin to calm; the clouds begin to thin and rays of light break through to warm your skin. You have just passed through raising a teenager…the Perfect Storm.
Greg Morton
© 2001
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Like It or Not
At six o’clock in the morning I often turn to my local Christian radio station during my commute to work and listen to Dr. Vernon McGee. Although he passed away in 1988, they still air his radio addresses today…and for good reason. He had a 47 year radio ministry and was definitely a no-nonsense kind of guy who spoke with authority. Very bible-based; very straight-talking.
The other morning he was going through the passages of Ezekiel and providing insight into the messages from God as He spoke through Ezekiel to the Jewish people. The message was loud and clear: “You guys are sinning, not taking Me seriously, and I’m going to get your attention whether you like it or not.”
Judgment is a characteristic of God we often overlook in today’s “feel good” churches. It is an awesome characteristic nonetheless. For those of you who are parents, you probably have a keener sense of what I’m referring to. There is a time for love; a time for tough love; a time for forgiveness; a time for discipline. Any one of these traits solely on their own would breed a very dysfunctional situation. When balanced, however, a very strong relationship can be formed. And so it is with God. Of course we love it when God blesses us with good things in life. We must also be very attentive to the fact that He will—in a loving way—teach, direct and admonish us in order to have the best relationship possible with Him.
Don’t confuse discipline with punishment, though. It’s clear from scripture that the “wages of sin is death”…and that is the ultimate punishment. For those of us who are saved, however, in my heart I do not believe God punishes us for sinning or screwing up. He will most certainly discipline us in order for us to better ourselves; and it may really, really feel like punishment…but I believe there is a very distinct difference. The God I serve has paid the price of sin with a very horrific and grueling sacrifice so that we don’t have to. Nobody knows punishment like Jesus Christ.
If you trace back the roots of the word ‘punishment’ you’ll find the same root words from which we derive ‘penalty’ and ‘pain’. Discipline, however, comes from the same root word we get ‘disciple’, from the Latin discipulus meaning ‘pupil’. Now that puts it all in perspective for me.
Like it or not, I have a loving Father and Savior that will do anything—yes, even die on a rugged cross—so that I can have a personal relationship with Him. Yeah….I like it.
Greg Morton
© February 2, 2010
The other morning he was going through the passages of Ezekiel and providing insight into the messages from God as He spoke through Ezekiel to the Jewish people. The message was loud and clear: “You guys are sinning, not taking Me seriously, and I’m going to get your attention whether you like it or not.”
Judgment is a characteristic of God we often overlook in today’s “feel good” churches. It is an awesome characteristic nonetheless. For those of you who are parents, you probably have a keener sense of what I’m referring to. There is a time for love; a time for tough love; a time for forgiveness; a time for discipline. Any one of these traits solely on their own would breed a very dysfunctional situation. When balanced, however, a very strong relationship can be formed. And so it is with God. Of course we love it when God blesses us with good things in life. We must also be very attentive to the fact that He will—in a loving way—teach, direct and admonish us in order to have the best relationship possible with Him.
Don’t confuse discipline with punishment, though. It’s clear from scripture that the “wages of sin is death”…and that is the ultimate punishment. For those of us who are saved, however, in my heart I do not believe God punishes us for sinning or screwing up. He will most certainly discipline us in order for us to better ourselves; and it may really, really feel like punishment…but I believe there is a very distinct difference. The God I serve has paid the price of sin with a very horrific and grueling sacrifice so that we don’t have to. Nobody knows punishment like Jesus Christ.
If you trace back the roots of the word ‘punishment’ you’ll find the same root words from which we derive ‘penalty’ and ‘pain’. Discipline, however, comes from the same root word we get ‘disciple’, from the Latin discipulus meaning ‘pupil’. Now that puts it all in perspective for me.
Like it or not, I have a loving Father and Savior that will do anything—yes, even die on a rugged cross—so that I can have a personal relationship with Him. Yeah….I like it.
Greg Morton
© February 2, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
StormWatch
This last week in So. California we’ve had our share of storms. Being a predominantly desert region this is not a common occurrence, yet it’s good for all of us to remember how nature—and, of course, God—really does control creation. With storms being on my mind all week it was, once again, somewhat ironic that my wife blessed me with yet another tidbit of wisdom the other night for which I can write about. Thank you, honey.
We were on the subject of anxieties and she stated quite profoundly, “Sometimes God calms the storm, and sometimes He simply calms the person.” Well, boy, did I latch on to that pearl of insight right away. And it is so true.
I quickly visited my favorite online Bible search engine and did lookups on the word “storm”. I found numerous examples which affirmed this truth that God does, indeed, approach our troubles in different ways…depending, of course, on how He knows it will benefit us most.
One of the most well known accounts is found in the first three Gospels where Jesus and His disciples were crossing a lake one evening when a violent storm arrived. Jesus was calmly sleeping while the disciples freaked out…pretty much the way a lot of us do every day at signs of trouble. Jesus tisk-tisked them saying, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Jesus then rebuked the storm and the waves immediately died down and all was well.
On the other hand…you also find accounts where God allowed the storm to prevail so as to build up the faith and character of the person enduring it. There is no better example than what Job went through. God was proud of His faithful follower and gave the devil a lot of latitude to try and break him down. Although Job questioned why his life was being turned upside down with trial after trial, he ultimately still praised God for the life he was given and ended up being blessed with greater rewards. The real triumph, however, was that his faith was even stronger and he has become a timeless witness for every one of us that God should be praised under all circumstances.
Storms can be scary; life can be scary. We can all be assured, though, that God will calm the situation…or us…or both. It may not always feel like God is in control, but He is. He allows things to happen that we’ll never quite comprehend but with faith…we can lift our praises high to the One that holds all things in His hands.
Greg Morton
© January 22, 2010
We were on the subject of anxieties and she stated quite profoundly, “Sometimes God calms the storm, and sometimes He simply calms the person.” Well, boy, did I latch on to that pearl of insight right away. And it is so true.
I quickly visited my favorite online Bible search engine and did lookups on the word “storm”. I found numerous examples which affirmed this truth that God does, indeed, approach our troubles in different ways…depending, of course, on how He knows it will benefit us most.
One of the most well known accounts is found in the first three Gospels where Jesus and His disciples were crossing a lake one evening when a violent storm arrived. Jesus was calmly sleeping while the disciples freaked out…pretty much the way a lot of us do every day at signs of trouble. Jesus tisk-tisked them saying, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Jesus then rebuked the storm and the waves immediately died down and all was well.
On the other hand…you also find accounts where God allowed the storm to prevail so as to build up the faith and character of the person enduring it. There is no better example than what Job went through. God was proud of His faithful follower and gave the devil a lot of latitude to try and break him down. Although Job questioned why his life was being turned upside down with trial after trial, he ultimately still praised God for the life he was given and ended up being blessed with greater rewards. The real triumph, however, was that his faith was even stronger and he has become a timeless witness for every one of us that God should be praised under all circumstances.
Storms can be scary; life can be scary. We can all be assured, though, that God will calm the situation…or us…or both. It may not always feel like God is in control, but He is. He allows things to happen that we’ll never quite comprehend but with faith…we can lift our praises high to the One that holds all things in His hands.
Greg Morton
© January 22, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
What’s the “Goliath” in your life?
Most people—even non-Christians—are familiar with the Biblical account of David and Goliath. The seeming underdog standing up to, and defeating, a force appearing more powerful.
There are many things that crop up in life which seem overwhelming and just plain too difficult to conquer. This would be your “Goliath”. As we observe David’s response to the situation, we can learn much on how to address our own circumstances.
Reading through the account in 1 Samuel, the first thing I noticed was how eager David was to confront this formidable opponent when all the other soldiers were too afraid. A righteous anger built up inside him that anyone would disgrace one of the armies of the Living God. When he tells Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him”, he states it with a noticeable enthusiasm. This is how I hope to feel when I see God being disrespected or scoffed at.
Your Goliath—or mine—can come in many forms and flavors. It may be a relationship, addiction or a looming situation but, in any case, appears to be a giant in front of us. We can hold on to the truth that God has put trials in our lives for a purpose…perhaps to prepare us for this very moment. All that pain and anguish you previously endured may very well be the very thing that strengthens you to defeat what is in front of you now.
When David spoke to Saul about confronting Goliath, he told of his encounters with lions and bears and killing them without hesitation or fear; knowing God was with him. Perhaps it’s a bit of conjecture on my part, but I imagine there were times when David questioned some of those circumstances. He seemed the type to talk and pray daily with God and I’m pretty sure the safety of his flock were part of those prayers. What might have been his reaction when he first encountered a wild beast attacking his sheep? There could very well have been brief moments where David asked, “God, haven’t I been praying for protection every day? Why is this happening?”
In hindsight, it’s easy for us to see that those encounters were preparing him for future trials in life…including that pivotal moment where he slew Goliath. Had he not built up his trust and faith that God always has a plan and a purpose with those earlier trials, he would not have become the man God could use for further greatness.
We can turn hindsight into future hope if we continue to pray without ceasing; ask God for guidance, wisdom and understanding; confront those giants in life with a renewed confidence that God is a faithful God and is sovereign over all creation.
I know it’s tough to feel like your current struggles may be part of a bigger plan; and I’m just as guilty in feeling like a “victim” during those times. I do know, however, that the God I serve is a personal and just God and I can rely on His strength every day of my life.
Blessings!
Greg Morton
© January 5, 2010
There are many things that crop up in life which seem overwhelming and just plain too difficult to conquer. This would be your “Goliath”. As we observe David’s response to the situation, we can learn much on how to address our own circumstances.
Reading through the account in 1 Samuel, the first thing I noticed was how eager David was to confront this formidable opponent when all the other soldiers were too afraid. A righteous anger built up inside him that anyone would disgrace one of the armies of the Living God. When he tells Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him”, he states it with a noticeable enthusiasm. This is how I hope to feel when I see God being disrespected or scoffed at.
Your Goliath—or mine—can come in many forms and flavors. It may be a relationship, addiction or a looming situation but, in any case, appears to be a giant in front of us. We can hold on to the truth that God has put trials in our lives for a purpose…perhaps to prepare us for this very moment. All that pain and anguish you previously endured may very well be the very thing that strengthens you to defeat what is in front of you now.
When David spoke to Saul about confronting Goliath, he told of his encounters with lions and bears and killing them without hesitation or fear; knowing God was with him. Perhaps it’s a bit of conjecture on my part, but I imagine there were times when David questioned some of those circumstances. He seemed the type to talk and pray daily with God and I’m pretty sure the safety of his flock were part of those prayers. What might have been his reaction when he first encountered a wild beast attacking his sheep? There could very well have been brief moments where David asked, “God, haven’t I been praying for protection every day? Why is this happening?”
In hindsight, it’s easy for us to see that those encounters were preparing him for future trials in life…including that pivotal moment where he slew Goliath. Had he not built up his trust and faith that God always has a plan and a purpose with those earlier trials, he would not have become the man God could use for further greatness.
We can turn hindsight into future hope if we continue to pray without ceasing; ask God for guidance, wisdom and understanding; confront those giants in life with a renewed confidence that God is a faithful God and is sovereign over all creation.
I know it’s tough to feel like your current struggles may be part of a bigger plan; and I’m just as guilty in feeling like a “victim” during those times. I do know, however, that the God I serve is a personal and just God and I can rely on His strength every day of my life.
Blessings!
Greg Morton
© January 5, 2010
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