…finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. ~ Ephesians 5:10
Pretty much anything goes these days. People can find a way or a personality to justify anything they might dream up to do or say or wear. "Restricting" they say. Following God is restricting to my personality, my freedom.
Amen.
Restricting, like the walls of my home. Like the rail on the bunkbed and the rules of the road laid down by the law. Confining and smothering like the skin I wear and the helmet Ethan wears and the seatbelt we all wear.
Terribly protective, our God is.
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. - Psa 19:7-11 NKJV
And I know what rebellion is, even if it's quiet rebellion. I have bristled and balked under the yoke sometimes. Temper tantrums happen in 35 year-olds who sit in church every Sunday, not just the two year-olds in the nursery.
I am sympathetic, then, to the scowl of the rebel.
He always wins me back with love. It's His kindness that leads any of us to repentance. The thing I 'find out' again and again is that God is too tough to be swayed by my tantrum, and too gentle to turn me away.
So we who know we are loved, we spend our time finding out.
Finding God out? Yes. Testing the boundaries? Sometimes.
And finding ourselves out in the pages of scripture. Seeing our own hearts revealed by the living Word that never changes, but always applies. Always gently divides the soul and spirit, joints and marrow.
Losing our minds and putting on His.
How valuable is a life spent pursuing goodness, righteousness and truth?(Eph. 5:9) Let's find out.
