SelahV Today by hariette petersen

When We Fail

It's hard to admit failure sometimes--even to ourselves.  We tend to want to explain the circumstances surrounding our failure.  We are tempted to take the sting out of our mistakes by giving facts and, sometimes embellishments, to paint a brighter picture than pure honesty reveals. 

It's strange when you think about it.  The Bible is full of those accounts.  From beginning to end, we see the warts of all the saints later listed in the book of Hebrews as examples of faith.  Yet, today, most folks have trouble simply apologizing for a simple wrong, an irritated mood, impulsive action, or critical spirit.  It's tough to confess bitterness we cannot purge from our hearts, a judgmental attitude we embrace because of it.  It's just so hard for people to say I'm sorry and ask to be forgiven.  Unfortunately, most times that's because we know forgiveness is not easily given or received.

Jacob felt that way when he fearfully returned to meet Esau, the brother he'd wronged after stealing their father's blessing through deceit and scheming. They both lived years and years in estrangement and brokenness.  When Jacob humbled himself before God, he met Esau and there was no problems.  Esau hugged him and forgave him. (Gen. 32)

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." James 4:10 NKJV

It's difficult to open up our lives and expose less admirable events in our past, to let the world see we are less than we want to be seen.  It takes a humble person to simply admit a wrong, then grow from it.  I think it takes a virtuous woman to bring glory to God by sharing what she learns from her mistakes.  Amy Carroll is 'that kinda of gal" as she writes devotions and speaks to help encourage others. 

It also takes a meek man to admit an error of judgment the moment the Holy Spirit quickens his spirit to see an area in need of correction. It's refreshing to read where he yields his pride to Christ's control and allows Him to change the direction of his witness.  Brian McMillen is "that kinda guy".  Rather than let a weak moment be his own little secret, he shared it on his blog.  [*see Amy's and Brian's posts below.]

How about you?  Have you made an error in judgment?  Do you wish you could hit replay on a moment of your life?  Is there someone you know who needs your encouragement, who needs a pat on the back, a hand up, or hand outstretched?

If you see yourself somewhere in this post--perhaps just a mediator for another's relationship--I pray God gives you courage to deal with it, wisdom to counsel, and abundant compassionate  love to express. If you are hurting because you have not forgiven yourself for past mistakes, I pray you're able to turn it all over, let it go, then live in the righteousness of Christ without regret.   selahV

POSTS WORTH READING:

STAY by *Amy Carroll ~~~ THAT KINDA GUY by Brian McMillen

RIDICULOUS RANTING about Preferential Treatment

I just discovered I'm a V.I.P. (Very Important Person).

Handicapped Parking spaces is one of the best ideas Americans ever came up with.  It's the least we could do for those who have a hard time getting around.  It really torques my engine to see people without handicap stickers steal the parking space so they don't have to walk a few more yards to get to a store opening.  Makes me want to call the police myself.  But I don't.  However, that's really not what I want to rant about today--it's the Preferred Parking spaces awarded to people like me.

It's one thing to give preferential treatment to folks in need, or even people who pay for the privilege.  I'm not even against special parking for doctors, clergy, and employee of the month.  But to give preferential treatment to drivers who own more fuel-efficient cars?  Seriously, tax credits are doled out to some corporations, malls, cities, and townships which put up signs next to Handicapped Parking signs to designate Preferred Parking status for fuel-efficient vehicles.

Where are we headed with this?  Are we coming to a time when we'll give fuel-efficient vehicles their own highways?  their own lanes on the highways?  I can't wrap my mind around the rationale for someone with no other passengers in their Toyota Prius being awarded front-door convenience while making a harried mother herd her five grandchildren across a quarter-mile parking lot to go grocery shopping.  And all because the young mother carrying a diaper bag, juggling a baby-carrier, and attempting to hold hands with her other four kids, dared drive a ten-year-old Chevy Astro? 

"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you."  Romans 12:3

Today, there are so many things in society that create division among people.  Elevating someone without merit breeds pride and judgmental attitudes.  God requires humility--not exaltation.  He's not looking on the outside of who we are, what we own, wear, or drive.  He looks to the heart and attitude we have.  There's just something wrong about giving special favor to a person for driving a "green mobile".  Where will it end?  Before long we'll have special seats in restaurants if we weigh ten pounds less than someone else.  Or go to the head of the check-out if we purchase broccoli instead of Oreo cookies.  It's no wonder folks today seem entitled to everything...without doing anything to earn it.  Preferred Parking for Low-Emitting Fuel-Efficient Vehicles!  Don't you think it's a bit ridiculous?  selahV

DANGEROUS PRIDE LEADS TO WORTHLESS WORKS

Lately I've witnessed some bloggers embattle others in a war of words regarding who is the "worst" of men in the kingdom of God and the ministry of the Gospel (yes, the "worst"--not the best).  I've read comments and lurked in the shadows of sadness.  As I did so I wondered what one could do about such war between professing Christians.  If it bothers me, wouldn't it also disturb the Father in Heaven?  Doesn't He despise those who stir up strife?  Even for a just cause?

In 1 Corinthians 3 we see Paul taking the Corinth church to task regarding their allegiances to himself and Apollos.  He urged them to guard their actions, words and thoughts.  Their wisdom was nothing if used with a prideful heart.

"To have a high opinion of our own wisdom, is but to flatter ourselves; and self-flattery is the next step to self-deceit. The wisdom that worldly men esteem, is foolishness with God. How justly does he despise, and how easily can he baffle and confound it!" Matthew Henry Commentary

Such is the merry-go-round of conversations among those who seek to be "right", who seek to publicly reprove, who lash out with posts to defend oneself when one's own words condemn them already.  What is so hard to understand about the false teachers of this day?  Is it necessary to pour gasoline upon their flaming heads?  Would it not be better to pray God bless them and heap coals of fire upon them?  Is it not more beneficial to eternity to watch our own words, attitudes and actions?  To attend to our own diligence, patience, and perseverance?  Is it not more pleasing to our Lord to simply share the Gospel as He leads us to share and leave another's growth or demise to God? 

I think of David who had the opportunity to kill Saul (his adversary), as he slept; instead David didn't touch a hair on his God-annointed head.  Then there's Joseph who had the power to destroy or imprison his brothers for what they'd done to him years prior.  Instead he forgave them and loved them.  As Christians we have the opportunity to live in such a way that everything we do can bring eternal reward.  Sometimes silence is heard more loudly than shouts of righteousness.

"For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid,which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire." 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

In our effort to follow the Lord, do we build upon His life within us, or upon the works and words of man?  Do we flaunt our own wisdom to prove another wrong or right, or humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord?  Do we lift up and esteem some person or belief more than we bow down to our Savior?  What is our motive for doing and saying and writing what we do?  Will it all be burned away "in the Day", or will it follow us through eternity?  selahV

HUMILITY WAS INVITED TO DINNER...

~~and was barely even noticed.

~~it bowed its head in gratitude, so honored to be a guest.

~~it felt full before its first bite from the blessing of being a part of another's hospitality and grace.

~~it listened with interest to each dinner guest, and never once called attention to itself.

Humility.  It does not exalt itself.  It does not boast.  It waits for others to be served before serving itself.  It is satisfied with any portion of the roasted lamb.  It never feels slighted or unappreciated.  It doesn't put itself above another, nor does it find pleasure in another's embarassment, or abasement.  The cloak of affirmation feels like another's coat.  Though humility accepts the garment, it never seems to fit. 

Lord, keep us ever mindful of our inadequacy without You.  Thank You for Your mercy and grace.  We rejoice in the favor You give us, a favor so undeserved.  selahV   

Why do you need validation?

How often we give of ourselves, yet receive no appreciation.  A mother cooks and a child turns up its nose.  A child studies hard, but the best of his or her effort is ignored in light of one average grade in one particular subject.  A husband works all day to provide for clothing, shelter, food--only to be handed a "to-do list" of requests the moment he walks in the door: Take the baby; feed the dog; fix the toilet; mow the lawn.  Elderly parents are ignored; wisdom they have gleaned from longevity and experience is set aside--out of touch with today's reality.

Why do we need man's approval?  Why do we hunger for it?  Should not our words and deeds all be for Christ alone?

Long ago I gave up looking for approval and validation from my parents.  I came to grips with a sound fact; it is not they who measure my worth or value.  Yet, throughout my life, I sought validation from peers, those I ministered unto, and even my children. Most often, I wasn't even aware I sought it.  Validation is something we all seek from someone, somewhere.  No other place is this seen as clearly as in writing to please the masses.  Writers write because they must.  But what if there are no readers?  Do we bend our principles, our focus, to tantalize?  To incite, to gossip, to carry tales, to condemn others, to bring attention to ourselves?  Or do we move forward, forming our sentences and thoughts to pour out of a heart pure in the sight of God? 

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever." 1 Peter 4:10-11.

"If anyone serves..."  If anyone writes?  If anyone cooks?  If anyone mows a lawn, tends to a child?  "do it...so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ." 

How great it is to know that our validation is in Christ Jesus.  Not in man. When our motives are pure--and we seek to glorify Christ--validation is not necessary.  Let God be praised. selahV

A Message From God

THOUGH TEMPTED AND TRIED

Though there are times I'm tempted and tried, I find myself coming back to You, Lord.  Though there are days when life is not kind and situations test the very fiber of my soul, I find myself longing for more of You, Lord.  Though death beckons loved ones and separation looms, I know my hope is in You, Lord.  Though waters seem deep and mountains seem high, I find myself carried on angels' wings to the throne of Your grace, Lord.  Though buffeted by satan's adversity and surrounded by temptations destruction, I surrender not to his evil designs on my life, but rest in the promises of You, Lord Jesus, my Savior and King.  My weakness is Your strength, my failure is Your victory.  To You alone, Lord, will I give my all and yield.  selahV

TO BOAST OR NOT TO BOAST, WHAT A DILEMMA!

Sometimes folks believe it's expedient to proclaim their accomplishments.  It's necessary to commend themselves with their past success, their abilities, their knowledge.  Some even find it imperative that others know whom they know--with whom they rub elbows.  Ever once in a while they drop a name in an effort to elevate themselves in another's eyes.   Sometimes they denigrate others to defend their positions, or make themselves look better.  This is something we see all the more prevalent during election season as politicians tout their records and others try to expose the warts in their opponents.

I realize there are times when we are compelled to share what we know and how well we've performed.  There are times that our record is extremely germane to a situation in life.  Career moves are one of those times.  Often resumes are the rudder on which the ship will sail or sink. 

I've always squirmed a bit whenever I've written out a resume.  I know its purpose is to give a prospective employer as much information about my strengths and abilities as possible.  They want to know what positive attributes I can bring to their table should they consider me part of their team.  In a sea of resumes with a multitude of prospective employees for a particular position, we all want to stand out and make it to the next step in the process of getting the job.  And so we tell everything we can about ourselves in the most succinct way we are able and hope for the best.  However, in my heart I know my inadequacies, my weaknesses.  So I've always felt like I wasn't giving the entire picture of who I am when documenting my experience.

I remember an interview in which I really wanted the position for which I was applying.  My experience for the position was more than sufficient.  I'd made it through two levels of interviews, one including a series of personality tests designed to determine my compatibility with the rest of the team.  Even though I'd put my best foot forward, listed everything I could about myself that would give the greatest impression, the employer told me he had several applicants with similar capabilities.  I had some stiff competition.   He'd let me know after he'd called my references.  Then I waited.

"Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips." Proverbs 27:2

When I was given the position a week later, the employer told me what pushed me a step ahead of the others in his mind.  My former employer, who was a Christian, was called and when he was asked what kind of employee I'd been for his company, he simply replied, "If she wants the job, you should give it to her.  You won't find anyone better."

I was extremely grateful that my past performance had followed me in such a positive way. I was fortunate that my former employer held my service for him in such high regard that he'd recommend me for any position I desired.  To him, it didn't matter what the job entailed, or how I measured up in a stack of resumes and sea of applicants.  In the final analysis, it didn't matter what I said about myself.  It didn't matter how well I tested on personality tests.  It didn't matter how much experience I had with the job.  It mattered what another man said.  selahV

[FOR ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE on what another man's words can do, visit my devotional at dailyIMPACT by SelahV.]

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]