“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Ps 119:130
Living life is tricky. We each have our own histories to learn from, vices to conquer, and stories to live. And although some life stories are filled with more challenges than others, we each have equal access to God, and the power He offers.
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” Deut. 29:29 “The Lord confides those who fear Him.” Ps 25:14 When each of us comes to the end of our talented selves, and stand in utter dependence before the Lord, He reveals to us the true intents of His heart in a way we can personally grasp them.
“When the student is ready, the teacher shows up.” ~~ Our Lord does not carelessly toss His truths before us, but instead waits until we are ready to enter into His presence and fellowship. Then, He illuminates truths to us in a way we can recognize them, then internalize them, implement them into our lives, and safeguard them in our hearts.
This week, we have received some especially difficult life questions from some of you. Questions that are not easily answered, but questions that must be “walked through” with God (and sometimes with the help of a godly counselor). And it is in this “walking though” process that so many of us become discouraged, short sighted, and fatigued, as we are taunted by the devil, conflicted by our own sin natures, and regretfully give in to what we KNOW to be against God’s best for us.
It is in these trickier “walk though” times that the KISS principle reigns supreme in our personal lives: ”Keep it simple stupid.” (For just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, all too often we regretfully find that our minds are also somehow led astray from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2Cor. 11:3)
2 Scriptures in particular have been an excellent practical guide for us in navigating “tricky” areas (1Cor. 6:12 and 1Cor. 10:23-24). In a nutshell, these verses together tell us that everything is permissible for us (except what God specifically says are a “no-no” in Scripture), BUT not everything is beneficial or constructive, and we are not to be mastered by anything.
In marriage this equation looks something like this:
· Beneficial: is what I/we “do/say” edifying to my spouse/ myself/ and is it drawing us closer together/apart, and closer to/further from God? Does it pull a negative “trigger” for either me or my spouse? (If so, don’t do/say it!)
· Constructive: is what I “do/say” constructive to my spouse, myself, my relationship with God and my marriage? Or is it destructive to any or all? (If it’s detrimental, don’t do/say it!)
· Mastered: What “controls” me? Is it godly? Does it draw me closer to or further from God? Closer or further from my spouse? (Lord, help me do the next right thing.)
Contrary to public opinion, God is NOT some cosmic kill-joy. He gives us such freedom and creativity, and tells us to go for it, enjoy it fully, and live life abundantly!
We promise you will NEVER be bored again. God bless you this week as you draw near to Him.
Much love,
Shaun and Betsy
