How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. July is here before it’s August. My goodness how the time has flown. How did it get so late so soon?
~ Dr. Seuss
I do believe this has been the longest stretch of time I have went without posting. With so much going on in the world and in our personal lives I have felt the need to just listen and read what others are saying and writing. Silence is not sticking ones head in the sand and ignoring issues, personal or world wide such as, same sex marriage, racism, war in the middle east or the political problems. Silence is best used to gain insight into what God has to say about anything and everything.
In fact I have to agree with the wise men of the Bible, "even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise, when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. (Proverbs 17:28). This period of time has given me a chance to really think about what my mouth says, is it wisdom that comes from the Lord or my opinion? Is the words coming out of my mouth ones that would draw someone closer to the Lord, or drive them away. Am I using my mouth to promote Godly values, and His view, not mine?
I could easily get caught up in moral and injustice issues and spend my time fighting to bring about change in any area. And I applaud others who do that but this silence time has helped me to confirm some things God has taught me and re-teaching.
I am also a firm believer in this scripture, which covers for me all the hurtful, evil, sad, painful and terrible things happening in the world. Matthew 15:18-23 ‘‘What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’”
Our heart ultimately governs our behavior. So when we say or do something that "surprises" us, if we will get really honest with ourselves (and with God) and think about it, we will discover the root of that action.
God is more interested in our motives – the why behind the what. Matthew 5:8 says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (NIV). He is not looking at our outer actions as closely as He is looking at what motivates them. Because what's inside us is the root of what comes out of us. God is much more concerned that the things we do come from a pure, Holy Spirit-led heart.
So instead of joining one of the good causes out there and battling that injustice I am going to join the battle of the ages again. It the same battle that's been going on since creation. It cannot be won with guns, laws, protest, marches, and even votes. The battle was fought and won at Calvary.
I chose this day to fight the good fight, to give out the gospel which is the only thing that will clean a heart and make it pure. With God's help I am going to share John 3:16 anytime, anywhere while I have the freedom to do so. It is my weapon of choice.
"It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict, God's job to judge, and my job to love. Billy Graham