Walking Worthy, Face to Face

I've been challenged by a couple of concepts this week. The first came from the sermon on Sunday, and I'm still wrestling with it. The message was on Paul's encouragement/instruction to the Ephesians "to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called." (Eph. 4:1) Whoa, that's big stuff, especially in light of the verses surrounding that verse. The other verses compare those who are immature--people who are prideful, coarse/rude, impatient, and divisive--with those who are mature--people who practice humility, gentleness, patience/forebearance, and unity. I want to be in the latter group, but I often don't act like it. Several times this week, I've caught myself saying things that will create division, rather than unity. That temptation to gossip that I give into. Or the desire to make MY name great. But thankfully, this verse nags at me. It convicts me to walk worthy.

The other concept that I've just begun to study with my small group is the idea of worshiping God face to face. I've heard songs about how we'll worship God face to face in Heaven. But Linda Dillow's new book Satisfy My Thirsty Soul urges readers to learn how to worship God in this way right now. Every day. I continue to try to wrap my mind around this concept. I want to figure out what this will look like in my life.

I think these two concepts can go hand in hand: walking worthy, face to face with God. And, I look forward to exploring them more.

What's challenging you right now?

Humbling Feet

Ever wonder why God gave us feet?

I realize that we needed some type of movable appendage at the end of our legs to make us mobile and to prevent us from having to hop everywhere. And our feet definitely serve that purpose. But I think there’s even more to them.

Have you ever noticed that feet aren’t all that attractive? Especially men’s feet. But even when feet have been well taken care of, they still aren’t that pretty. But, maybe I’m biased because I have webbed toes. Or maybe, just maybe, God gave us feet to keep us humble.

After all, it’s hard to be haughty when you’re barefoot and your feet are out there for all to see. Are your toes hairy? Is your arch flat? Do your feet stink? Are your toes webbed?

The next time you might be tempted to not be humble, just glance down at your feet and think of God’s sense of humor. I’m pretty sure it is evident in all our funny feet.

Red Light = Red Letter Day

A few weeks ago, I noticed that I kept hitting red lights. At the time, I didn't take it very well. It was frustrating to say the least.

But I made a new connection. Red lights, which I normally thought of as a tool that mades me late, actually buy me time.

That sounds weird, but it is true. On those days when I had hit all red lights, I noticed that I talked to God more. Maybe a lot of those talks started with, "God, would you please help this light to change quickly." But a lot of those "light conversations" became my chance to talk to and hear from God. As I sat. And waited. And waited.

On those days when I seemed to get all green lights, I did my own thing, quickly foraging ahead. I realized that I was missing out, as weird as that may sound.

So, I now try to take advantage of these red lights and actually look forward to them. I hope you will too.

(Photo supplied by Freephoto.com)