Not changing the topic, but going a little sideways, I noticed today that I say the word "repercussion" wrong. I use a soft e at the beginning. I wonder if that is a Freudian slip be cause I feel the need to soften the word that has become a mainstay in my life......
Whichever is the case I will do one more analogy than move on, I promise. I ask you, if you walked down to a large ravine and saw two bridges. One that was steel, covered and safe. One that was just a tightrope with a hand line mid waist that looked like it would snap at any second...... Which one do you cross??? I hope you'd say the steel one, but not me! Not Wile E. Coyote! I would convince myself that the flimsy rope that has started to fray must be more thrilling and probably has treasure hidden somewhere even though a sane person can see, this bridge can't hold me yet alone hide a treasure.....
All funny, but true. So getting back to repercussions..... If God has forvigen me, shouldn't the world just follow suit? I mean God is the get out of jail free card, right? right? Ok, why aren't you saying right?!?!?
Maybe because there is no get out of jail free. Maybe because this world is real life and your actions lead to real world consequences. Real repercussions..... So, you've repented, you have found your path. The choir is singing, the church is clapping you on the back, You have found peace. But it's not over. Just like Wile E. Coyote, who stands up after plummeting down the cliff only to be hit on the head by the ACME bomb, this is a world where there are real lasting consequences to the decisions we make.
Yesterday was a good day. Really it was, but it didn't feel that way. Just about the time I was starting to think the worst was behind me and felt like the work I had been doing was showing fruit, I got sacked before I even lifted the ball. At first I felt the familiar back against the wall, guard up,be offended and shocked that someone would treat me this way!!!! Didn't they see all the work I had done? Then came the victim mentality, This is just the Devil attacking me and trying to stop the work God is doing in my life!
Although it is very true that there is a war being fought over my very soul between forced I can't comprehend, the simple truth is that I am experiencing real life. Life as it comes at me, and God may have thrown my sin into the lake of forgetfulness, but only as far as it pertains to him, not my life, and not me.
I've made a bed. Unlike the comfy one I slumber in at night (and day sometimes) it is a rocky thing that is rather uncomfortable to lie in, but it is my bed and it's where I belong.
As a Christian, I didn't recieve a get out of jail free card, I recieved something better. Forgiveness from my sin and a real chance to learn, mature and move on. Also a chance to confound the world by the foolish (which is really my name).
I have real live consequences to deal with. In Ezekiel 44, God is describing the lasting consequenses that the Levites had to realize was a brand new reality, because they had sinned. They who were meant to be the light of Israel had become purveyors of idolatry and filthy in the eyes of God. They were allowed back into the temple, but aside from the line of Zadok, they had to understand new rules now appplied. Lasting rules. Rules that didn't feel good.
In the first chapter of I John, we are instructed to walk in the light. All to many times, we as Christians, step out of the light. It's not as simple as just correcting your navigational direction. Now we have to deal with the real life problems associated with those actions.
I personally have seen the Mercy of God extended over my life many times. I've even been blessed enough to not have to experience many of the consequenses I should have. But just as David first lost his child,yet later had to deal with Absalom, I have to remember that this storm is of my own making.
Yes the devil may be fighting me, but these people throwing the stones aren't persecuting me for Christ. I am not bearing a cross. I'm Wile E.Coyote and these people are the bomb that I so meticulously set up to fall on that dang Road Runner.......
I like what Casting Crowns say in one of their songs:
"I was sure by now that You would have reached down and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say "Amen" and it's still raining.
As the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain "I'm with you", And as Your mercy falls....I raise my hands and praise the God Who gives and takes away!!!!
I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands, For you are who you are No matter where I am. Every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand.You never left my side and though my heart is torn I will praise you in this storm......
I WILL PRAISE YOU IN THIS STORM.....
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