Skip to main content

I Am Not

             But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7)

God said this about Eliab, David’s oldest brother. David was so little thought of that his father didn’t even call him to join the family either for this important social engagement (dinner with the Seer!) or for the requested review of his children to be made by the same prophet. While Joseph was given a coat of many colors, David may not have been given a coat at all. I’m not suggesting that David’s family was abusive, but I am making a comparison of parental predispositions.

We have predispositions toward ourselves as well. Filling the full range from self-worship to self-loathing. What’s more, like Samuel, we tend to base those predispositions on appearances. Sometimes, the appearances are lame. I’ve had more than one discussion with God about what I am not. At one point, it was that I am not a jogger, while I was jogging. Another time, it was that I am not a poet, and then I wrote poetry for several months. Among the things “I am not” now are a photographer, an author, and a homesteader. Basically, whatever I find myself doing, except failing, I proclaim I am not one who does them well. I think part of the reason for this is that if I say I am one, then I have to take responsibility to do everything one of them does and do it well. Again – appearances.

It may be that others are much better at not looking at outward appearances, but I suspect I’m not alone. So, here’s my challenge to everyone, including myself. Make a list of all the things you are not, even though you engage in at least one activity that might be considered part of that role. Aim for at least ten. Pick three and discuss them with God. You might be right that you’re not one. But if your discussion with God leads you to conclude that you are or should be one of them. Discuss that further. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more