Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Reaching Out With His Hands

I recently read something on the subject of "respecter of persons".
It kind of made me start thinking. Thinking about myself and if I am like my Maker.

Deuteronomy 10:17 (New International Version)

17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.

He is not partial and no respecter of persons. We read in Genesis that we were made in His image. After His likeness. Does it have to do with the way He looks? Does it have to do with the fact that He is an eternal being? Does it mean that I have His emotional makeup?

I guess I would say that it has a little bit to do with all of the above. I do know that He LOVES--He is love. When I come to Him in salvation the "umbilical cord" that was cut by sin-it is reconnected. The flow is resumed.
What flows from Him to me? All that He is-------------- If I allow it. What would stop the flow? Sin. How would people know if a believer is being controlled by sin and cut off from the free flow of love from God?

A disconnect takes place. What does that look like? Here is an example from my life.
I love very deeply. I have a very sensitive heart/spirit. Mom used to say this about me when I was little. A few years ago my sister was going through a rough time. While spending time with my sister one day she spent time telling me what she was going through. I listened--I am sure I offered advice(hopefully not like Job's friends ;) and then it was time to leave.
Standing on the front porch she looked at me and told me something I don't think I will ever forget. She said--- "Sharon, I can always tell where you are in your relationship with God. When
you are close to Him--you really care about what is going on in my life".
That statement kind of hurt. Why? Because that meant that there were actually times when she knew that I did not really care. I could not connect with my emotions.
That is rough--but it is true.
Think about it. When you are close in your relationship with God--even when you are overwhelmed--you care when someone is hurting. You are able to take your eyes off yourself and what struggles you are going through and you are able to share the love of God with them. Share His heart with them. And usually it makes your burden a little lighter for awhile.
Like a deep breath after having held it for awhile.
His love enables us not to respect ourselves above another. The love that has been shed abroad in our hearts--it flows freely to others. Love that is real. Love that listens first to the person and next to God and what He would have us say to His child.
So each day when I venture out in blogdom--I want to listen with His ears. Listen with His heart. Then I want to respond with His love. Do I think blogging is my "ministry"?
NO.
Do I think life is a ministry?
YES!
A ministry of ministering His love to individuals-----without regard of who you are or who you know. Isn't that what God planted in our hearts from the beginning? Made in His image------ we are to love as He loves.

John 13:35 (The Message)

34-35"Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other."

The thought that I want to leave you to ponder....When you happen on a woman in blogdom that you seem to have a connection with----embrace that connection. Ponder it. See if God has set a connection for a reason and a season. Women have moved in and out of my life here. Sometimes the connection is not there-I understand that. I don't think we should push it. We don't want to become stalkers. :) But I would ask that you give things time. See if they have something to offer you from God. And then from a heart connected to God-give back freely.

6 comments:

SunnySusan said...

I love ya sis

Nise' said...

Reading Job and what his friends are saying to him really has me thinking/pondering about how I react, what I say or don't say to friends (whether or not they are going thru something difficult) and I so want to reflect my Father and not the flesh. Thank you for sharing and you always have something to offer me from God.

Denise said...

Thank you for always sharing such wisdom sis, love you.

She Rose Up said...

Wise words, Sharon!

"In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other."

When will we ever get this in the Church? All of us? I was up much of last night about an issue that is a great illustration of how we desperately need Him to work a change in us. I am hopeful, much is at stake in this instance, but as we wait on Him, we can't lose!

Hope you are having a blessed week!

Anonymous said...

Nicely said! You can stalk me any time! ;o)

Holly said...

I got a treasure in the mail yesterday! Thank you!!!!! I have never tried Beignets before, so I am anticipating them.
And the book! Thanks so much...I have had Rahab on my mind lately.
You are a blessing to me!
Much love to you,
Holly