Paths

I must admit I quite enjoy rabbit trails. These can be great fun and creative or an interesting ‘what if’, but they are or can be dangerous. I suspect that this is part of the charm. Fortunately, I have learned to be keenly aware of my path and not veer to far off of it (never out of sight). An excursion (into a rabbit trail) is, or can be, a different way of considering an issue, problem, study, etc. But it can lead to a rabbit trail of a rabbit trail to the point that the main path is completely out of view and lost.

Do you feel that you are on the path the Lord wants for you? If so... how do you know? And if not... do you want to get back on the path - if so, you'll need to honestly consider how and why you got off the path. The Lord said

  “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it." [Matthew 7:13-14]

This gives us a gigantic clue. Do we, right now feel, 1. a bit put upon, nothing seems to be going 'right' and you feel somewhat stuck in a bramble patch or 

2. life is smooth and easy, you aren't really being asked to do or be anything in particular. If 2 then you need to take another look at what's happening around you and what you are doing. Granted there are seasons of rest, but that's different. If, on the other hand, you feel like #1. Reassess. Because this may be a time of training, of testing. But never forget these 2 kinds of paths - and know yours.

Now... how can we judge if it's a season or we got off of our path? There are suggestions found in Matthew 7:

 

   “Beware of the false prophets, [teachers] who come to you dressed as sheep [appearing gentle and innocent], but inwardly are ravenous wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them [that is, by their contrived doctrine and self-focus]. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the unhealthy tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit." [v. 15-18] 

Fruit bearing is never 'by accident' it comes from the inner parts of us. Look at Ephesians 3:16, Psalm 15:6, Proverbs 20:27, and 2 Corinthians 4:16. These are only a few of the scriptures that talk about the inner man from which our behavior and words stem. We never truly are accidental in our words... at least that's my opinion. Fruit is the best 'tool' in our assessment arsenal. To be oblivious is harmful to all. 

When it talks about looking at the fruit that is visible... don't ignore your own. It also tells you what you are demonstrating. If you are on your path you will have good fruit to share. And a word of correction is not construed as 'bad' fruit. It may be incorrect or not complete but it always tells us what others are seeing and that's invaluable.

Paths. Rabbit or not give us understandings and growth. Rabbit is a short time, short distance 'what if'. But don't be led by what if's - they can be dangerous to your health. Look around. Is where you are your path? If not... do you know how to find yours?

Did the Bible REALLY say that...

    "You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth [punishment that fits the offense].’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person [who insults you or violates your rights]; but whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other toward him also [simply ignore insignificant insults or trivial losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity, your self-respect, your poise]."  [Matthew 5:38-39]

I have always had problems with these 2 verses. I'm not one that avoids conflicts, disagreements though physical violence is not my style. But a 'slap on the cheek' is always a deliberate act, even when it's a 'reaction'. Then again, it really isn't the physical slaps that hurt it's the personal words that can cut deeper. However, thank heavens for the Amplified Bible, because it's those words in ( ) that can give us a greater understanding, and this one also gives context. 

There are some major points for me and the first is: 'simply ignore insignificant insults or trivial losses and do not bother to retaliate'. I had a 'friend' who once said to me - 'you're no fun 'cause you don't respond. At the time I had no idea and it wasn't any brilliance on my part to not respond - for once (because that wasn't typical behavior on my part) I obviously was thinking on other 'things'.
But while we typically look at silence as assent, never assume. There really is strength in intentional silence because it always takes 2 to 'fight'. 

I've also discovered that the non response by me that is accompanied by just standing there, not cowering but maintaining my dignity, can have a great affect.

The, 'maintain your dignity, your self-respect, your poise' speaks volumes. And that was a very loud one. But to answer the Title's initial question - the answer is, 'Yes'.  But we've not read the context nor how the words are defined. Once you do delve a bit below the surface, then correct response can emerge.

Now the question becomes: can, will you comply? Will you depart the scene with your integrity in tact? Integrity is defined by behavior... will you stop long enough to see what your response should be? These verses and their associate behavior are saying far more than we initially realize. It doesn't mean 'fight', it doesn't mean 'flight', there are many opportunities to respond without incurring a negative reaction from the 'perpetrator'. You aren't responsible for their reactions but you most certainly are for yours. 

Flee and Come Close

    "7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you."  [James 4: 7-8a] 
Resist doesn't automatically mean you come close. But duly note that both require YOU to 'do it'. 

Back in the previous century a comedian (Flip Wilson) use to have a scenario in which the punch line was, '... the devil made me do it.' Wrong. The devil does NOT have the power to 'make' you do anything. He'd like to, but the only thing he can do is tempt and seduce. But those 2 are powerful. Ultimately it is ALWAYS our decision to do or not do something. This holds for the Lord as well as the devil. God gave His creation - free will.

[[As a 'quick' aside - let me share a bit on what I mean when I use those words. 

    I think the primary need on our part is to ACCEPT the responsibility for the consequences/ramifications from one’s own actions and words or the lack thereof. You can’t expect to have free will and not realize what responsibilities comes

with that gift! I suspect we rush to accept the gift The Father gives us and try and have a blind eye when it comes to our responsibilities. 

The answer to accepting our responsibility is quite simple. Part of it rests in a prayer in Psalms that we all need to face our day:

   "Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a right and steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit." [Psalms 51:10-12]

With those characteristics IN us, we can provide a strong defense.]]

The devil is not about to flee based on our own 'authority'. He does however quake when we use the same defense Jesus used when the devil tried to tempt Him - 'It Is Written'. You do remember that part of our armor is our sword... and the sword represents the Word of God. That is a very powerful weapon and the devil knows this. I wonder why we tend to not remember? Point being is that, not in our own authority but in Him who saved us, never leaves us, and is ready to equip us to be (more than) conquerors [Romans 8:37], we really can do all things [Philippians 4:13]. 

But resisting isn't the end... we need to do what James instructed: come close to God and He will come close to us.

Which are you?

Are you the son who when asked by his Father to do something says ‘no’. Or the son who readily agrees to do what is asked? Now the rest of the story… the first son, for whatever his reason, repents and does what his Father asks. The second son does not (never intended to?). How surprised is the Father by at the results? More important, which is you?

Stop for a moment and honestly assess the number of times the Lord's asked you to do something - what kind of responder are you? This really isn't a comfortable question to answer. While we might try and cling to the '...I wasn't certain that He meant me, it could simply be giving me information" - does that sound as lame to you as it does to me. And how many times have we used that or a variation of it? For me... far more than I'm willing to acknowledge. But... you know what!? I'm trying very hard not to shift the 'blame' or seek a scapegoat for my behavior. I'm getting quite fast at apologizing (sincerely, not the throw away type). Part of my 'speed' is so that the danglies (my word for unresolved and to be resolved words and/or behavior) are not clogging my way.

Quite honestly, I'm trying to not be quick to say 'yes Lord' but not following through. Now a reallllllly difficult question - how many times have you said - not me, not ready, or whatever 'reason' you have for not accepting the opportunity, the assignment offered? I am not going to get sidetracked by which is worse: saying yes and not doing (fill in the blank) or saying 'no', I'm not ready. 

But let's look at the 'not ready'. Do you honestly believe the Lord would ask you to do something you couldn't do? Did He ever say that you'd be doing it alone? Do you know why you don't feel prepared? Do you know what you need in order to accept the assignment? First... if you think the Lord would ask you to do something you could never do - that isn't the Person I know. He never sets us up for failure. Yes, He tests, but the tests are more for us to know what we don't know so we can prepare. And who said you had to do it all by yourself?!!! My experience is that when faced with these kinds of situations, I turn to the Lord and say - 

   "Be my Senior Partner please and help to learn what I need. Not that I'm

    seeking to be a Senior Partner but I need to learn what the Junior Partner

    does." 

It took me some time, but I learned that the song was alllll wrong! I really don't want to do it - my way. I've learned that it is delightful sharing.

The other part of 'not ready' is - what are you doing to be ready? Are you studying, and growing, do you feel you are more equipped today than you were a week ago? Have you asked what you need to learn? Before you think me harsh about all the questions - not intentionally. I've walked that path - really didn't need to, but I did. 

By now you've probably noticed that my focus has not really been on the 'which are you' but on you who say - yes but don't do. We really are talking about picking up our cross and carrying it, following after the Lord. One source said:

   "Following the Lord, particularly Jesus Christ in Christian belief, involves a commitment to align one's life with His teachings and example, seeking His guidance and submitting to His authority. It includes living out His values, transforming one's priorities and actions, and seeking a deeper relationship with God."

Paul said it best:

   "Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." [Philippians 3:12-14]

That's following. And I believe that when you say 'yes' to the Lord but quickly follow it by acknowledging your need for Him to be part of the fulfillment of the yes that victory will be yours and growth will be the testament of your learning.

When you can’t find happy

Been there? I have … more than once and I do not like that place. Even worse - I don’t like me when I’m there. It’s a place in which I can’t find peace and worse - joy. It’s not depression, it’s not dissatisfaction but the depth is so deep that you can’t see the top of the ‘hole, pit’ you somehow are in. You really aren't comfortable in your own skin. You are restless, distracted, wandering, and a few other negative emotions that don't give hope.

Life seems to be a series of highs and lows or as I refer to them as - seasons of life. I seriously doubt anyone can sustain these two polar opposites for long periods of time. It’s the middle ground that needs to be cultivated because that’s where we spend the majority of our time. Part of my question is - do we recognize these times, seasons or is only on retrospect? Perhaps it's as we enter these times that we suddenly realize that we've somehow wandered off our path.

A little hint - don't go looking for happy... you rarely find 'happy' by looking for it. I think 'happy' is illusive, transitory, surface. I've been around some people who appear to be able to turn on a dime from 'miserable' to happy (and vice versa). Which leads me to think there isn't much depth to 'happy'. One secular source says:

   "In the Bible, happiness (often translated from the Greek word "μακαρισμος" or "μακαριο") is not just about fleeting emotions, but a deeper, more profound state of well-being and joy that comes from a relationship with God. It's a contentment that is not dependent on circumstances, but rooted in faith and a sense of God's favor."

In other words, they are defining happiness by joy.  And 'joy' is a much deeper state. 
https://restorativecc.com/ provides a chart that compares happiness and joy.

         Happiness                                                 Joy

Based on circumstances                         Despite circumstances

Us focused                                         Kingdom focused

In reaction to accomplishments,                  From a place of gratitude, praise and

   achievement, and material gain                     confidence 

Is a feeling (remember feelings are fleeting) State of being

Looking to earthly things                          Viewing from a heavenly perspective

Hope in “it”  (it being the thing you think       Full of hope

  will bring you happiness)

When I first looked at the 'definitions' this company developed to explain the differences, I saw the main reason almost immediately. It really is based in who your source is. Happiness is more of a object based state while joy has it's source in a Christian mindset of relationship with the Lord and His promises.

If you look for joy... you will find it  One source explains joy as:

   "The biblical definition of joy says that joy is a feeling of good pleasure and happiness that is dependent on who Jesus is rather than on who we are or what is happening around us. Joy comes from the Holy Spirit, abiding in God's presence and from hope in His word."

That certainly is more substantial and long lasting.

Do all and More

Are you a ‘Do all things’ and ‘More than a conqueror’ Christian?  

   “I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ ‭AMP

   “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us].” 

Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭37‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Yes, I am linking 2 scriptures - do you see the words? Would you let them define who you are - how the Lord sees you? Do you see the source in both scriptures and let it be the foundation for your words and actions? Do these 2 scriptures paint a picture for you?

Many times a 'can't' slips into our spoken words. But are you confident that your 'can't' is accurate? You have the Lord working in you when you accepted Him as your Lord - right? And He really CAN do all things - right? Then if He is calling you to it....... He is/has already equipped you for it - yes? If our 'no' is based on our perception of who we are then perhaps you could be right. But......... if He IS your Lord, if He is who He says He is and if He has come to make a home in you [John 14:23]... doesn't that make you a 'more than' and a 'can do'? Certainly, you can't be arguing with scripture??????

I could provide you with other confirming scriptures, but I think the point's made. We really can't be 'can'ts' and all and more at the same time. Don't be dismayed, I think most of us have bought the lie satan sends us about who we are, even after we have been born again. Sometimes I don't think we understand that when we have accepted Jesus' Lordship that that's when the devil gets really riled and tries to throw every possible doubt our way. Remember... simply because he throws it doesn't mean we have to catch it.  

Where... a ? or !

 So do you know where you are? What season are you in? Where do you want to be? Are you willing to pay the cost of getting there? and/or Not getting there? I suspect, in some respect, I'm asking you what you are doing with your free will. Saying you don't have it is completely untrue - you do! Not using it is using it. The Father chose to make His ultimate creation, man, have the ability to make his own decisions. But this is not in a vacuum - we have all the directions, understandings available to us to make Good decisions - it's called, The Bible. All your questions are answered there.

And notice I did not say you will always understand... or even like the answers. Not the point - the answers are there and we have the free will to accept it or not. But remember, not accepting it comes with more consequences than following it. I also discovered that the Lord never gets upset with all my 'why's'. He always patiently explains through His word. Then again, I don't approach my why's with a rebellious spirit - my intent is to understand. Interestingly enough when I get to that point of accepting or rejecting - liking isn't one of the options. I may not like it... but will I follow it? 

Sometimes the problem seems to be that we don't always like the decisions we make. Or maybe we feel rushed (by whom?) to make a decision we aren't confident in? Perhaps it's a case of accepting the lesser of evils? When we begin heading in the direction of a decision, do we also begin to develop our scapegoat in case things don't go positively?

Remember too that we have different seasons. Sometimes we are in a highly active time in which time just flies by. Other times we seem to be in a learning time. Do we recognize this and take advantage of the opportunity to learn, to grow? Still other times appear to be testing times. As uncomfortable as those times are - do we choose to learn through them? My belief (based in scripture - James 1L13) that the Lord will never tempt me. Test, on the other hand - absolutely. 

Why tests? Because that tells us what it is we do know and understand and what we still need to know. Tests are as much for us, making certain that we are learning and incorporating into our MO what we learn and know AND still need to learn. So back to the initial question. Do you know WHERE you are and is it a ! or a ?, and what will You do about it?