“Phillip said to him, “Lord, show us THE FATHER (the Most High GOD) and it is enough for us. Jesus said to him, “HAVE I BEEN WITH YOU SO LONG, AND YOU STILL (GOD was with Phillip since he first came to love Jesus of Nazareth) DO NOT (return or acknowledge my LOVE) “KNOW” (Comprehend) “ME”, Philip? WHOSOEVER has “seen” (come into this bonding, loving relationship with “ME”) has seen the Father. How can you say, (EVEN CONTMPLATE!) ‘Show us the Father?” John 14:8-9. (English Standard Version. With my own emphasis and insights added). The Man who comes to know of Jesus Christ as Lord/Messiah will surrender the contents of his heart’s love to God, as also EVERYTHING else! It is not possible for anyone to be in GOD’S PRESENCE AND NOT “KNOW OF HIS LOVE. Such is “IRRESISTABLE!” When we can willingly give ‘attention’ or ‘acknowledgement’ to how we are focusing on God as right before us, within us, and the very source of our being; then will we find true JOY and HAPPINESS enfold in our beings. Life IS GOD! Jesus had said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man comes to the Father except through me.” Just as important, IF NOT “MORE” SO, GOD IS LOVE INCARNATE IN JESUS OF NAZARETH! God does not ask of you that you doubt His LOVE, and therefore ACTUALLY refuse and “REJECT”, in any sense, HIS LOVE. TRUE LOVE IS NEVER DEMANDING! Many are the thoughts (infinitely so) that “GOD ALONE” will bring to us to occupy our minds. The “TRUE SOURCE” of where these thoughts are actually coming from are a continual and complete mystery to us all. BUT, if Man doesn’t know of his own ‘heart content’ or ‘mind content’ GOD IS THERE to help us.
Day: July 28, 2019
MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST
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You Should Have Waited For Me
JULY 26, 2019
“The end of a matter is better than its beginning; a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit.” Ecclesiastes 7:8 (HCSB)
Glancing out of our kitchen window, anger instantly replaced the inner peace I had enjoyed following a women’s retreat. During my weekend absence, my husband had radically trimmed the lowest branches of our towering evergreen. From snowfalls to high school proms, those graceful, sheltering branches had served as the perfect backdrop for cherished family photographs.
My mind became a personal battleground as I repeated to myself, “I will NOT overreact. I WILL handle this well.” Within minutes, my mature self-talk evaporated in an outburst of tears and anger. “You knew how I felt about trimming the evergreen. You should have waited for me!”
He calmly defended his position: Mowing would be easier, and the poison ivy patch was now under control. I, however, remained frustrated that my input had been ignored, and throughout the evening, my outward attitude clearly reflected my inner anger. Eventually I adopted a “what’s done is done” approach, and I adjusted to the altered side yard view.
Months later, distinct areas of brown needles began to overtake the silvery green branches, and it became apparent that our evergreen was dying from the poison ivy spray. Fortunately, this slow decline afforded me time to discern my attitude and response. Looking back, I was confronted by my arrogance: a belief that my landscaping taste was superior, that my point of view mattered more than my husband’s, that my vision created the most beauty.
In reality, by asserting that he should have waited for me, I was questioning his judgment — implying that my plan ought to have taken priority. Pride, much like the poison ivy spray absorbed by the deeply rooted evergreen, had overtaken my perspective. This haughty attitude resulted in actions as unattractive as the dying brown boughs and threatened to create distance in my marriage.
As an isolated incident, a pride-filled squabble is unlikely to derail a relationship. However, a pattern of superiority and self-righteous pride could easily erode the most loving of marriages. Ecclesiastes 7:8 reminded me that I could choose my next response and change the outcome of our landscaping disagreement.
“The end of a matter is better than its beginning; a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit.”
No matter how poorly a disagreement or difficult confrontation begins, our initial reaction does not have to determine the outcome. When conflict arises, so does the opportunity to seek godly behavior through honest reflection, disciplined growth and ongoing prayer. Asking God to reveal any pride or selfish intentions within us can change the course of interactions, resulting in more satisfying resolutions and intact relationships.
Thankfully, quieter, more gracious discussions replaced our earlier, anger-fueled debate. Exchanging my arrogant attitude for humility allowed me to both seek and offer forgiveness. Today, a stately tree stump stands in our side yard, a constant reminder to guard my pride and to seek God’s guidance to transform difficult beginnings into peace-filled endings.
Lord, I often assume that my way is the best (or only) way. Help me adopt a new approach to conflict — one that recognizes my pride and reminds me that relationships matter more than my personal preferences. Prompt me to offer gracious and peaceful words as I interact with others, and give me courage to revisit any areas of conflict that would benefit from my humble apology. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Proverbs 14:3, “A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.” (NIV)
Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (CSB)
© 2019 by Beverly Pounds. All rights reserved.