Don't Forget!

If you’re like me, you tend to get annoyed most with the attributes you see in others that you want to change about yourself. It’s amazing how marriage shows you that; if I find a problem with something that Tracey’s doing, it’s usually a sure indication that it’s a much greater problem in me. Ooohhhh marriage and its endless opportunities for humility ☺

Anyway, I’ve been reading the Old Testament and it’s amazing how painful the process is at times. Of course there’s endless pages of tabernacle dimensions and hundreds of years of genealogy that prove challenging to connect with. But the real pain for me comes with the ever-increasing stupidity of the Israelites. They have a God that actually comes down to them in physical forms, speaking audibly and performing miracles, and they can’t lose those ridiculous Asherah poles. Every other line of 2 Kings is “and they did evil in the eyes of the Lord…” Sons watch their fathers deliberately disobey God and get stoned for it, their mothers do the same and get eaten by dogs, and then they still think it’s a wise path to follow in their parents’ ways. The whole time I’m thinking, “Really God? These are the ones you chose?” Regardless of where I’m at in my walk, reading the Old Testament always makes me feel better about myself.

Until the Lord graciously reminds me that the things that annoy me most about them are exactly what annoys me most about myself.

The Bible tells us 365 times not to be afraid. So why do I still welcome circumstance to tempt me into fear, worry, and doubt? He has personally shown me in unmistakable ways that He will be faithful to meet my needs, so why do I still doubt His provision? It’s like no matter how many times He has given me reasons to trust Him, I am so quick to forget.

Because no matter how much I hate it, I am just like the Israelites- human. And it only gets dangerous when we start to think we are above it all.

So thank you, Chris, for reminding me how important it is to remember. To remember that we serve a God that is good and faithful, and because of that, we don't ever have to surrender to circumstance.