Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: GRATE (11/19/15)
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TITLE: When Life is Just Grate | Previous Challenge Entry
By George (Bill) Elliott
11/25/15 -
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Remember, our tangible lives are merely a physical representation of the spiritual being within. Regardless of how hard we try appearing to be complete, or how much effort we put into the facade of life (cosmetics, homes, wardrobes, fitness, etc), there is still an emptiness, an 'irking in our souls', as it where. The musical band Plumb has a song called God Shaped Hole, which perfectly describes that odd emptiness we all have; uniquely ours, yet similar to others.
It all sounds like there's no hope for us, but when you surrender your life to Jesus, when you have been saved by His redeeming blood, you then have His Spirit leading you. His guiding hand on your life gives you hope, clarity, and certainly those 'inner answers' of peace we seek from other places and other things. The old saying "this world is not my home" is good to remember as you face turmoil. See... too often we get anxious, nervous, even tense and irritating from things happening in this world; to us particularly, but also to those around us. Before we know it, we lean towards being ornery, short or curt with others, and even downright obnoxious... many times, unintentionally. In many ways, it is a worldly reaction to worldly affairs. Way back during the 'exodus', the Isrealites were reminded to remember they are 'strangers in the land'. In Exodus 22:21 (KJV), it is stated; "Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.", which is a reminder that we need to extend grace and mercy to those around us, not be contrary, irritating, and grating.
How?
It is in no way easy to be polite, to be gracious, to be gentle, forgiving, and merciful. Anymore these days it just seems as though you are the only one on the planet who still adheres to the "do unto others" guideline that Jesus gave us! But, the Isrealites were given a really good set of directions for their physical lives, and we can apply this guidance to our spiritual lives. In Numbers 33:55 (KJV), they were told; "But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.", which essentially is our reminder that it is our spiritual nature to be 'ugly', to be incomplete, to be ungodly and certainly to by holy and righteous. Sure, you can 'clean up your act', but without His cleansing redemption in your life, with the presence of the Holy Spirit in your soul, and without His forgiveness you are still going to be working hard to be kind, to be nice, to be loving and friendly.... for you, life will be work. Once you are saved, once you are made whole by His redeeming blood, you will look back on your recent past and realize those days When Life is Just Grate, but now it is perfect in His eyes.
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