Category: allegories, analogies, and parables

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 7 – The Toads

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

The loud croaking of toads – I mean the LOUD croaking of toads drew me towards the plastic fish pond next to the larger dug-out pond. I had drained and cleaned the smaller one in preparation of lining it when I lined the larger pond but then abandoned it when the lining wasn’t long enough to cover both. My neglect was evident as I looked into the muddy rain water that now dirtied the pond. Clay is horrible to clean. It stains everything it touches. Because I had not protected the pond, I would now have to drain it again and ruin more towels when the new liner arrived.

I turned to go back to laying rocks around the big pond but the croaking interrupted me again. Where were those toads?

And then I saw them. Nine toads had fallen or jumped into the plastic pond. Apparently they couldn’t jump back out so it was up to me to rescue them. But how was I supposed to get them out? The bottom of that pond was too low for me to reach from where I stood. I didn’t really want to step into the water – shoes or no shoes. And they completely ignored the branch-ramp I carefully set in the pond.

Then I saw the fish net. Perfect. In minutes the toads were happily doing their thing among the plants in the larger pond.

Just like my neglect in securing the plastic pond caused a problem for the toads, our neglect in life can cause problems for other people. Broken promises to help someone in need can cause that need to remain unmet because the person was counting on us to meet it. Leaving early or not showing up for our shift serving at the food pantry can leave the group shorthanded. Inconsistently attending a Bible study and asking the group to catch us up on what we missed causes the whole group to lose momentum.

Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. Proverbs 18:9

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16

Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 1 Timothy 4:14

But the ones most affected by our procrastination and neglect, especially of something God called us to do, are ourselves. Not taking every thought captive to obey Christ can trap us in old thinking patterns and sin.  Inconsistently reading the Bible or not putting into action what we read keeps us from growing spiritually. Neglecting meeting with other believers or in going to church puts us in danger of growing cold and eventually being deceived into wrong beliefs.

Rationalization, justification, explanation – it doesn’t matter. The bottom line is that something that should be done isn’t. God calls that disobedience.

Hear instructions and be wise, and do not neglect it. Proverbs 8:33

What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father? Matthew 21 28-31

And disobedience has dire consequences.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21

In the case of my pond, I couldn’t finish it along with the other because I didn’t have the materials I needed. But that doesn’t excuse the way I left it. I could have covered it and protected it from the rain which would have protected the toads. Which reminds me of yet another of Jesus’ parables.

When the unclean spirits have gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. Luke 11:24-26a

Let’s take care of the jobs we have been given, and hopefully we won’t find later on that nine toads have moved into our lives.

More Scriptures:

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. James 1 22-24

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 6 – Adding the Fish

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I stared at the local weather app on my phone with disbelief, and then did a quick search for other weather resources. Surely the local forecast was wrong. I was expecting freezing temperatures soon, but snow tomorrow? My fish were still in bins! Not only are they in less than two feet of water, but they aren’t even underground. How would they survive? Well, there was only one thing to do. They had to get into the pond before nightfall.

I went outside and turned on the hose. At least we had a well so there was no concern about anything harmful in the water. But it also meant there was nothing helpful in the water either. Pond water is filled with bacteria and organisms that the fish need. It takes weeks to develop. I had hours.

And then I got an idea. The tubs were filled with fish and plants – and old pond water. What if I used that water to help fill the pond? I couldn’t think of any reason not to, so I shut off the hose and walked over to the first tub that contained fish. Carefully I netted them and did what everyone says not to do. I let them go free in the pond. Then I quickly dumped bucket after bucket of the tub water into the pond. The clear refreshing water in the pond now looked brown and murky. Disappointed that I had messed up the pond, I added the pump and filter. Maybe I could fix this.

After many hours, there was no difference in the water. What else could I do?  

After much internal debate, I decided to add more water. The new well water would mix with the old pond water and hopefully dilute it. But all it did was to make more murky water.

I wondered what would have happened if, instead of dumping buckets of old water into the new water letting them land where they would, I would have chosen a corner and slowly, carefully poured the old water into the new. There might still be some cloudiness in that area, but the rest of the pond might have remained clear.

It was late now and getting colder. Totally dejected about the whole thing, I went inside my house. My fish was safe from the snow, but at the cost of the beautiful pond water.

Our past experiences impact and control our emotions as we act on both the truths and lies they taught us. We need our past experiences just like the fish need what is in the murky water. Our experiences are what made us what we are today. But it’s wise to be aware of when and how they are impacting our day to day interactions and decisions. The question is not if our past is going to affect us, but how. Allowing the past to control our thoughts and emotions without thought or restraint is like dumping tubs of murky water into the clear pond. We can no longer see clearly. But being intentional about where and how the past is allowed to impact the present may help keep our vision clear.

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. Proverbs 15:18

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Romans 7:15

But whoever hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:11

They are darkened in their understanding, alienate from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to the their hardness of heart. Ephesians 4:18

Let us pray for discernment as we examine our reactions and motivations. Let us see where we have dumped something we learned in the past into the present situation causing confusion and regrettable actions. Let us seek the truth, for the truth will set us free (John 8:32)

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 5 – The Lining

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Yay! The hole is all dug out and it’s time to lay the lining! All I have to do is unroll the lining, stretch it out over the hole, and start filling it water. Easy, right? That’s what all the videos show.

With my heart beating just a bit faster with anticipation, I began unrolling the lining. Unflopping it would be a better word. The lining was not rolled. It was folded. As I opened it up, there were multiple fold lines. Folds can be a source of weakness in a lining causing small leaks. The less folds the better. I knew that more fold lines would be created as I tried to mold it around curves in the pond, but to start out with them was a bit disappointing.

After fully unflopping the liner, my husband helped me to carry it over to the hole, which revealed problem number two: how to carry something that heavy above the twig and leaf covered ground. After many false starts, we gave up and just dragged it. Hopefully the lining was stronger than the reviews stated.

Once positioned, I carefully climbed down into the hole as water from the hose began filling it. I pushed and pulled, trying to take out as many folds and wrinkles as possible. It was impossible. But I kept at it until the water reached the lower shelves. I added some rocks to hold the liner in place.

 As I climbed out, I wondered why something that looked so easy on videos had been so hard for me. And then I remembered. In my hurry to get the fish into their new home before the coming freeze, I didn’t follow the helpful hint of letting the liner sit in the sun for a while to soften before trying to manipulate it.

At least the lining was in and the refilling had begun.

As I walked around the pond, I ran into yet another problem. The lining was supposed to cover both the dug out pond and the preformed plastic pond next to it to form one big pond. But in all the positioning, tugging, and pulling, somehow the lining twisted and it no longer covered the small pre-formed pond.

My vision was ruined. There was no going back without draining the pond again. And there was no way to maneuver the lining with the weight of the water laying on it.

After cutting a smaller lining and trying it in every direction possible to cover and link the two ponds together, I gave up. There was no way now to join the two ponds. By this point, I was ready to give up on the whole thing. I wanted to throw things at it or kick it or yell my frustration out at my husband. Instead, I went inside to shed a few tears. And to pray.

In life, how often do we try to accomplish our tasks on our own? Jesus will empower us to do the things He asks of us, but it doesn’t come automatically. We have to abide in Him.

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples. John 8:31

Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. John 15:4

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. John 15:9

How do we abide in Jesus? What does that look like? Paul gave some instructions that we can follow.

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:18-21

What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 1 Corinthians 14:15

David is a great model for abiding in God.

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to this excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Psalm 150:1-6

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? Psalm 77:11-13

I will lift up my hands towards your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes. Psalm 119:48

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. Psalm 63:5-7

Let’s soak in the Son before attempting big projects in our own strength and reasoning. Certainly the One who accomplished the greatest building project of all time can help us with our own.

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 4 – Digging Deeper

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After days of hard work, digging, chopping, and hauling away wheel barrels of heavy, moist clay, I had finally finished. The last step had been to remove the wall of clay between the old and the new areas.  With great anticipation I walked a few feet away and turned to look at the one great big pond I had envisioned.

But instead of the self-satisfaction I expected, all I felt was dismay.

I had thought I had dug deep enough.

I had thought my work was sufficient.

I had thought I was finally ready to line the larger pool area. But with the border removed, I could clearly see that the new section was not near as deep as the old section. I had a dilemma. Should I leave it as is or continue digging?

Immediately my mind began rationalizing.

  • It’s bigger than the fish used to have.
  • I’ve already spent days on this. My body is sore. At my age, I should be careful not to overextend myself.
  • The sooner I can get the fish out of the tubs and into the pond, the better. Especially with the surprising forecast of snow in the near future.
  • The fish can all squish into the small deeper area next winter. They will be fine.

Swirling around these justifications, like the hint of a sweet aroma, came some other thoughts.

  • The fish need a deeper place to live.
  • The depth provides protection from birds and extreme temperatures.
  • Don’t be lazy. Do what needs to be done. It’s the right thing to do.
  • Don’t accept inadequate work just because your body wants to be finished.

I had a choice to make. Keep digging or accept it for what it was and move on. The battle was between my flesh and the needs of the fish. And it was a battle. I really REALLY wanted to move on. Everything in me shouted to move on. It was just this soft voice whispering, “What about the needs of the fish?” that kept me from putting down my shovel.

Finally I made a decision. I went inside for a nap.

How many times in life do we face the same choice? Give in to our flesh or meet the need of someone else? How many times do we rationalize that what we did was enough when deep down we know we could do better, or that more was needed? How many times do we try to get by doing the least we can do? The bible has something to say about this.

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:17

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23 (or in my case, for fish.)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

“Whatever you do” mean just what it says. Everything we do, not just what we might consider most important to us. Not just what we feel like doing. Everything. Playing with our children. Visiting an elderly neighbor. Working at our job. Giving to the needy. Quiet time with God. Going to church. Cleaning house. Helping someone who is struggling. Nurturing a friendship.

And digging deeper.

Sigh. I hear You, God.  I’ll get the shovel.

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 3 – Tubs

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I wonder what the fish were thinking as the ground vibrated with each thump of the shovel. The serenity that they had once enjoyed in their crowded home now shattered with unexplained disruptions. Not only that, but the giant shadow that provided food had come more often but no new food ever appeared.

Did the confusion of the fish turn to apprehension as they were chased around the pond with a net in the decreasing amount of water and then deposited into small tubs?  If they were crowded before, they were now packed almost fin to fin. No more swimming laps around the pond. In this new place, they barely have room to swish their tails five times. Not only that, but they are covered by a net to keep them from jumping out and to keep them safe from birds and the neighbor’s cat.

Did they feel their world had been turned upside down?

Do we ever feel like our world has been turned upside down?

There are times we will be confined or put in a place we don’t like. It may feel like life is horrible. Cancer, losing our job, death of a loved one and the destruction of our house in a hurricane are all bad causes of forced changes. But sometimes that turmoil comes from happy events such as a wedding, birth of a child, or high school graduation. In each case, we may feel helpless, out of control, and out of place. Our peace is gone. Our familiar provision is gone. Our home is gone. So what do we do?

Do we jump out of our new circumstances and try to crawl our way back to our old familiar ones? Do we give up and just sink to the bottom in despair? Do we get angry and refuse to eat? Do we try to relieve our angst by attacking other people?

Or do we trust that the God who promised to be with us always is still in control?

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9 NIV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12

Can we say along with Paul…

…for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger. Philippians 4:11b-12

Remember –

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.  Ecclesiastes 3:1

Let us trust our wise and loving Father no matter which season and circumstance we are in.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 2 – Digging

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The ground was wet and sticky in some places, yet hard and unyielding in other places. I stared at it, panting as I leaned on my shovel. I was used to the sandy soil of where I had spent most of my life, but this red clay was a whole new ball game. Who would have thought digging a hole would be this hard? Or that wet clay sticks to the shovel so tightly? I had been digging for hours, and I was not even halfway done. I wanted to give up. I wanted to walk away. But when I looked at the fish in their outgrown pond, I knew I couldn’t. It would be cruel to leave them as crowded as they are. With a big sigh, I straightened and carefully stepped back into the partially dug out pond extension.

As I dug, Isaiah 29:16 came to mind.

You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?

How difficult are we as God digs to mold us into something He can use?

When we gave our lives to Jesus, we gave Him the authority to make us into His image. Little by little we are shaped.

There are places in our lives where He scrapes away just enough to level us. Our weekly quiet time at the beach is replaced with people who need us, balancing our focus on ourselves with focus on others. A change in our job position requires us to seek Him more fervently, balancing our self-sufficiency with need for His help.

But there are times when He digs deep. It is disappointing when we no longer have the physical ability to do the things we love. It hurts when a close friend suddenly moves away. And it’s confusing when He tells you to get rid of all your dragons, including your favorite book series.

How do we respond? Do we resent and fight the changes? Do we hang on tight to what He is trying to remove? Do we grumble and wish for our old lives like the Israelites did? Do we despair because everything feels like a mess? Or do we trust that He knows what He’s doing and that it’s for our good?

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

As we yield time and time again, we may think the process is unending, but there will come a day when it will be complete.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

After several days of digging, I looked down at the hole I had dug. Looking at it filled me with a mixture of satisfying pride and despair. So much had been done. So much more to do. But for now it was time to rest.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Note: I know I may be using these scriptures slightly out of context, but they are valid. We do tend to complain when God is molding us, He does have good plans for us, He will complete the work He has begun in us, and He does promise us rest in Him. Selah.

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, part 1

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Winter is almost over. My goldfish have come up from the depth that kept them safe over the frozen weeks. I watch them with delight. Not only did they all survive, they had grown larger!

As I watched them, I sensed something had changed. They seemed to be much stiller. No dashing here and there. No chasing each other around. They just seemed to float in place. Were they sick? No, they were eating well. So what was wrong? Then it dawned on me. They didn’t have as much room to move around in as they had months ago. They may be feeling too crowded to play. Many centuries ago, a man named Jabez may have felt the same way.

Jabez called out to the God of Israel, saying, “, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.1 Chronicles 4:10

I can hear those fish crying out to me: “O, that you would bless us and enlarge our border, that your hand might be with us and that you would keep us from the harm of being too crowded.”

And of course I decided to grant them what they asked.

As we enter adulthood, we often think that life is wide open and full of possibilities. The sky is the limit, we are told. But many years later, we may wake up to a life that seems too small and crowded to swim in the freedom that we once had. It’s not that our borders have changed. It’s because we have changed. And our lives have changed. Our families have grown larger. Our material blessings have multiplied. The number of people we have influence over has increased. And we have much more wisdom from our experiences. All good things – but they fill our lives to the point that all we can do is tread water.

There several things we can do.

We can just accept it, like the fish did.

We can get rid of things to make more room. But sacrificing some things for the benefit of others may not be the best choice. Fish getting rid of fish would not be good.

Or we can pray that God enlarges our pond like He did for Jabez and other people in the Bible.

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’shouse to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. Genesis 12:1-2

But you have increased the nation, O Lord, you have increased the nation you are glorified; you have enlarged all the border of the land. Isaiah 26:15

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little. I will set you over much more. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21

“Neither do we boast beyond our limits in the labors of others. But we hope that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you will greatly increase as well.” 2 Corinthians 10:15

Enlarging our territory is often a reward for being faithful (staying alive in the case of the fish) and a promise of God’s plan for our lives. It’s a good thing, but as you will see, not simple or easy. It involves challenges, facing the unknown, hard work, and patient endurance. But in the end, it will be marvelous.

Stay tuned for Part 2 – Digging

Me Do It!

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parables, My ThoughtsLeave a comment
Photo by Polesie Toys on Pexels.com

My heart hurt as I watched my two-year-old granddaughter’s growing frustration as she struggled to fit a plastic shape into its hole. She had gotten the star and heart shapes into their openings but the triangle just wouldn’t fit into the square opening. She had gone from sliding the triangle back and forth across the opening to trying to force it with every bit of small might she had. I yearned to share my knowledge with her but each offer to help was met with a defiant, “No! Me do it!”

“There’s a special hole for each shape…” I started only to be interrupted with, “No! Me do it!”

“You can’t fit a triangle into…”  was cut off with “No! Me do it!”

“Here, let me show you…” was answered with a growl. “No! Me do it!”

So I sat back and let her work. If only she would listen.

Angry tears now filled her eyes as she pushed even harder. Failing that, she began slamming the poor triangle onto the opening. Over and over she tried. Over and over she failed until she couldn’t stand it anymore.

With a scream, she threw the triangle across the room.

I held out my arms. “Come here, baby.” Sobs racked her tiny body as she clung to me. Sitting there on the floor, I rocked her until her breathing slowed, her tears dried, and she was once again at peace.

You would think that the next time she played with that toddler toy set, she was more willing to allow me to help her. But no.  Again she insisted on doing it herself, getting upset in the process, and ending in my lap sobbing out her frustration.

Eventually, one day, she accepted my help. Then, with a triumphant smile, she gently pushed the triangle piece into the triangle opening.

I wonder if we don’t do the same thing to God. He knows how things work. He knows how to solve problems. But we think we can figure it all our on our own. We think if we work hard enough and long enough, we can solve all our problems. We ignore God’s way to create our own way.

When we do this as an individual, it’s called rebellion.

When we do this as a society, it’s called humanism.

This is Google’s summary of humanism based on American Humanist Association’s definition: Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that emphasizes human reason, ethics, and agency to find meaning and fulfillment. It is a secular worldview that affirms individual dignity and social responsibility, using science, art, and compassion to create a more just and compassionate world. Humanism does not include supernatural beliefs or theistic views. 

In other words, humanism, which is rampant through every part of society, is mankind saying to their Father, “Me do it!”

Why do we humans continue to strive to become equal to God regardless of the consequences? Didn’t Adam and Eve teach us anything?

Why do we humans think we know better or can do better than the One who created us? Cain certainly tried, and failed.

Why do we humans repeatedly try to serve a holy God our way like the Israelites did when moving the Ark of the Covenant?  Uzzah paid the price for that.

Why do we humans insist on creating an image of God that pleases us but not Him? The golden calf should have been a clear warning.

Why do we humans keep looking to ourselves to fill our needs? David knew from experience who to trust.

Why do we humans fight so hard to be independent of God? It never worked out well for the Israelites.

Some people have said: “Oh, that just happened in the Old Testament. Today is different.”

Is it?

Adam and Eve

For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise,[b] she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. Gen 3:4-7

Cain

In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?  If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, and you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:3-7

The Golden Calf

And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord.” And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’” And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.” Exodus 32:4-10

The Ark of the Covenant

And he cast for it four rings of gold for its four feet, two rings on its one side and two rings on its other side. And he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold 5 and put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark. Exodus 37:3-4

And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, as the camp sets out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry these, but they must not touch the holy things, lest they die. These are the things of the tent of meeting that the sons of Kohath are to carry. Numbers 4:15

So Moses took the wagons and the oxen and gave them to the Levites. Two wagons and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service. And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.  But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because they were charged with the service of the holy things that had to be carried on the shoulder.  Numbers 7:6-9

David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale-judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who sits enthroned on the cherubim. And they carried the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart, with the ark of God, and Ahio went before the ark. And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God. 2 Samuel 6:1-7

Trust in God

Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. Psalm 20:6-8

Comfortable Cages

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

Children face many challenges as they grow up. They count on the significant people in their lives to provide truth and guidance. They model themselves after these people, and take their words into their hearts. This is fine and good if the words are positive and truthful:

you are loved,

you’re worth my time and attention,

God made you perfect just the way you are,

you’re fun to be around,

you have a good mind.

But lies and half-truths can hurt the child’s heart:

no one likes you,

you are stupid,

you’re not worth the air you breathe,

you are a burden,

you can’t do anything right.

These lies form cage bars which, when reinforced over the years, keep a child securely bound.

That’s where I found myself at twenty years old. After years of unsuccessfully trying to break the bars, the lies I believed, I gave up. I was stuck in that cage. Death was the only way out. And so, I curled up in the corner and waited to die.

Then Jesus found me. He woke me up and told me He had removed the bars. He called me to the freedom He offered those who followed Him.

I celebrated the freedom. I danced around my cage with excitement and devotion to my Savior. I told everyone who came near me about the freedom that He paid for. I soaked in His love and loved Him back with all that I had.

But I didn’t leave the cage. The problem was I still saw the bars. The lies were still binding me because I believed the lies over the truth. They were more familiar. They made more sense. They felt right. They were what I was taught and were frequently being reinforced by people I respected. I must have misunderstood what Jesus had said. I questioned the definition of the words He used and convinced myself that He wasn’t talking about me. I was fine where I was no matter how hard it felt at times.

Over the years, fellow Christians told me they loved me. Some even got in the cage with me so they could feel what I did. They acknowledged the difficulties of my environment and offered me pillows and a blanket to make me more comfortable in my bondage.

But a few Christians loved me enough to continually redirect my attention to the bar-less doorway. They challenged, coaxed, and urged me to see the truth. They didn’t try to make my cage more comfortable. That would have just enabled me to stay where I was. They didn’t offer to stay in the cage with me, validating my belief about the bars. Instead, they confronted my choice to believe the lies and gave me the information I needed to gain freedom.

Which Christians loved me like Jesus loved people when He was on the earth?

Did Jesus come to free us from sin or to make us more comfortable in our cages?

I think people today confuse empathy with compassion. Empathy is feeling with, understanding, and sharing the feelings of another person – while compassion is feeling for them with the desire to help alleviate their suffering. Empathy is a feeling that often comes before compassion which turns that feeling into helpful action. Empathy is a feeling. Compassion is action.

Jesus has compassion on us. He feels deep sorrow for the pain our choices cause us. But He doesn’t leave us there. He paid the price to free us and He gave us His Word to counter the bars we see in front of us.

Jesus walked the earth with compassion. He didn’t enter anyone’s cages, agreeing with how hard and painful life was, and commending them for the ways they had made their cages more comfortable. Instead, He consistently called people out of their cages. He spoke the truth no matter how comfy the cage was. He offered freedom – not acceptance of their plight.

I have looked but cannot find any place in the Bible that Jesus affirmed the lives of sinful people and left it at that. He ate with them. He talked with them. He accepted them as beloved people.  But He called them out of their sin. He preached repentance. He told them to “sin no more”. He told His critics that He had come to the sick and the lost. He taught about the kingdom of heaven. He called them to follow Him and to tell others about Him. And He commissioned His followers to do the same.

I hear frequently that we need to love all people like Jesus did. I totally agree. However, if we’re going to love people like Jesus did, then let’s love people like Jesus really did. Not how modern culture says He did. Now how our personal convictions make us feel He did. Not how other people claim He did. But how the Bible shows He did. Let’s compassionately and courageously love people enough to call them out of their cages and into the arms of their Savior.

Scriptures

Sin is Bondage and Leads to Death

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. John 8:34 

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 

Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6:16 

Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” Matthew 15:17-20 

Why Jesus Came

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19 

And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17 

… God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:38 

Repentance

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect Matthew 5:48 

Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” John 5:14 

Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”]] John 8:10-11 

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. Matthew 5:29 

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Hebrews 13:4 

Don’t Sin Yourself as You Help Others Out of Their Cages

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 2 Corinthians 13:5 

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” Luke 17:3-4 

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Matthew 7:3 

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 

Directions from Jesus

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 

That is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:19 

The Authority of the Bible

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17 

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 

Open Your Eyes – He Is Who He Is ( Bonus Allegory Included)

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parables, Open Your EyesLeave a comment
Photo by Mian Rizwan on Pexels.com

Susan stopped typing and stared at her brother as he pulled a can of paint out of a plastic bag and set it down on the desk next to hers with a loud thump. “Sammy, what are you doing?”

 “I’m going to paint my desk.” He pulled out a brush and can opener from the bag.

“I don’t think the boss will like that.”

Sammy shrugged. “I don’t care. He’s not my boss.”

“What do you mean he’s not your boss?” Susan turned to face him.” He’s in charge of everyone who works here.”  

“I don’t think he’s worth all the allegiance people give him.” Sammy began to empty his desk into the plastic bag.

“What do you have against him?”

 “Several things. First, he’s cruel and unreasonable, like when he fired Gary, Frank, and Jill for nothing.”  Sammy scooped the last of the loose papers and pens into the bag, and then carefully picked up his computer monitor and headed for the back counter.

Susan followed him with her eyes. “Your friends were stealing from him and bullying the others in their department.”

Setting the monitor and bag down, he returned to his cleared off desk. “No, they weren’t. They were just doing what they thought was best to make the department a better place, including using office funds to pay for gym memberships and nicer clothes . Everyone knows that looking and feeling better leads to more productivity. The people objecting were just making trouble, which my friends dealt with for the betterment of everyone else.”

Susan’s eyebrows shot upwards. “Really? That’s how you see it?”

“It’s the truth.” Sammy declared, prying open the can of paint. “Second, he has way too many rules. Why can’t I do whatever I want as long as I’m not hurting anyone?”

“It’s not just hurting others. It’s hurting yourself, too. He knows what’s best for you.” Susan’s voice rose in pitch. “You’re not really going to paint your desk yellow, are you? It’s not your desk. The boss owns it along with everything else in here.”

“You’re just repeating what the memo said. And yes, I really am going to paint my desk yellow. It’s what I like. It makes me feel good.” He dipped the brush into the paint and began swiping it across his desk. “How do we know the memos even came from him? We’ve never seen him or heard him. Anybody could have written them.”

“Some people have heard him.” She nodded towards the desk on the other side of hers. “Mindy has.”

“That’s what she says. I doubt it. If he really did call her, why hasn’t he called the rest of us?”

“Have you checked you phone? Maybe he has.”

“Are you kidding me? He doesn’t care about anything except himself.” Paint splattered across the floor as Sammy slapped his fully-loaded brush down hard. “And I don’t like that he is unjust and cruel.”

“Even if what you say is true, it doesn’t change the fact that he is the boss. Your feelings – your beliefs – about him don’t change who he is or his authority over us as long as we are here in his building.”

“That’s your opinion. I can do whatever I want and I will not accept an invisible boss who forces us to submit to him.”

“So, you’re leaving?”

“No, I like this building. I’m just going to do what I want in it.” Sammy wiped his yellow hands on his pants. “I’m smart enough to make my own decisions.”

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The above conversation might seem silly.  But a similar conversation is being held all across our country every day. Only, instead of being about a boss, it’s about the Boss.

It’s puzzling to me to hear people say they won’t accept God because of what He did or what He commanded the Israelites to do in the Old Testament.

They may not understand why God did the things He did.

They may not like it.

It may not line up with their sense of morality.

But it doesn’t change the fact that God is God.

There is no other Supreme God to choose from.

There is no other Creator of all things.

 For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (He established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): “I am the LORD, and there is no other. Is 45:18

Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. Rev 4:11

It’s even more puzzling to hear people say they love, serve, and honor Jesus as God, but reject the God of the Old Testament.

Do they think there are two Gods? Or do they think Jesus is God 2.0?

God is God whether the invisible Father or the God-made-visible Son.  

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. Col 1:15-16

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Heb 13:8

Would they reject Jesus if they reread the Old Testament inserting the name Jesus in the place of LORD God?

I think we sometimes forget that we didn’t create God or install Him as God.

He is God because  THAT   IS   WHO   HE   IS.  Period.

Why do we think our brains are big enough to comprehend Him? Why do we think we get to say what God should be like?

Whether or not we agree with Him doesn’t change who He is.

Whether or not we like what He did in the Old Testament doesn’t change who He is.

Whether or not we understand His rules and ways doesn’t change who He is.

Whether or not we choose to worship Him doesn’t change who He is.

Everyone worships something because we were created to worship. Look at all the religions around the world. One thing they all have in common is worship. What and how they worship differs vastly, but they all worship what makes sense to them.

And that’s the problem.  We worship what we choose according to what we reason out with our small, finite minds. Or we worship what others tell us to worship. Even Christians. I would estimate that only a small percentage of those who call themselves Christians actually worship and serve their Creator. 

And the LORD said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men. Isa 29:13

If we don’t worship or serve Him, who or what do we worship and serve?

Nature, power, sex, celebrities, political parties, woke-ism, social justice, good works, ministry, climate control, saints, religion, family – the list could go on forever.

But I think many people spend their lives serving the god of self. Life is all about what they want, what they think, what they prefer. They may clothe it with the worship of something else, but deep down, they are the ones sitting on the throne in their hearts.

Bottom line – God doesn’t have to make Himself worthy of our worship. He doesn’t have to conform to our thinking. He is God because He made all things.  Let’s not pretend He doesn’t exist because we don’t like who we think He is or we prefer a different god. Let’s not recreate God in our image. Instead, let’s bow before Him and acknowledge Him for who He is as He is. Sooner or later everyone will.

so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11