One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving... -Psalm 62:11-12
I am staring at my baby plants as I sit here on the floor with a gulp in my throat. This last year has brought about so many changes in my attitude & character. I am learning what makes me cry. I am learning what gives me joy. I am learning more of who He is, so that I can be more like Him.
I have learned that two things will bring immediate tears to my eyes & sorrow to my heart. The first is when I disobey His commands & His will. This one has been a challenge to me - learning how to love, live, accept forgiveness, and learn from it.
But the second has been hard: I hurt the most when I hurt other people.
It is a true statement. We are called to love & serve (Mark 10:45). God is love & we know this love and show this love. We build character by following His example & testing it in our daily walk. We use godly character to exhibit our love.
Now I can be pretty forgiving if I fail in my godly character against myself. I know its between God & me - and that He is mighty to save & forgive - and He is faithful to love.
But when I fail in my godly character to love another? That hurts me a lot. Because not only is it now between me & God - but me & another.
I planted seeds last week. Yesterday I noticed they were just sprouting! 19 little plants popped out of the soil! They looked so strong and healthy. But you know, I came home today & noticed that all of the plants were bent toward the sun. Some of the plants were so thin & tiny - they looked like they would fall over! But all plants have one goal - to make food from the sun. I turned the pot so that the plants would "reach for the sun" from the other side, to avoid them from breaking & tipping.
An hour later, I looked at my plants again. The stems (in just one hour!) had completely turned toward the sun again! What great strength, desire, and passion these plants had to face the sun. It is a beautiful thing that God has created.
Somedays I still feel like a small seedling. I reach for the Son - desire for His ways, but outside forces "spin me around". They tempt, they twist, they confuse, and if I don't adjust to focus on HIM alone - my Sun - then I will fall over. And how important it is to stay focused on His love through tough times.
This week has been a heck of a week for me. Ups, downs, emotions, situations - but I look back to Psalm 62 and see that our God is STRONG and our God is LOVING.
Praise God for His forgiveness, praise God for His people who seek His will, praise God for those He has placed in my life to love, and for those who continually encourage me - despite my weaknesses.
I love you, O LORD, my strength.
