Have you ever said that to somebody’s face? To yourself? To God Almighty who put you on this big ball of water and dirt?
If so……congrats. Welcome to the real world.
I think I’ve said that about roughly 14 times per year since my teens.
From little things like buying the wrong groceries and forgetting about the daily class pop quiz, to bigger things like being friends with someone who would take me down the wrong path.
The last time I uttered that phrase was after a meeting with a leader who misread my reasons for leading worship and why I serve God and people. In short, I walked away feeling like a loser, my heart shattered from his finger-pointing. I never felt so doubtful in serving before.
I share this because chances are you’ll find yourself in situations and relationships which will discourage you. You know life goes on and things change over time, but in your heart you’re still in that place, trying to piece together what was broken. And maybe it’s happening right now to you.
It’s hardly amusing, except to a certain someone who doesn’t want to laugh alone.
In 1 Samuel 5, we see God getting a real kick out of Philistines, who are of uncircumcised fame. Today, we don’t applaud people in this fame because, well, that’s just weird. Awkward too. But these people were hard-core opponents of God.
The Israelites were using the Ark of the Covenant like a good-luck charm in taking it to battle. They ended up falling like a deck of cards to their enemies, and the Philistines walked away with their Rabbit’s Foot of good fortune. Definitely didn’t see that coming would be an understatement of biblical proportions.
Coming home victorious, the Philistines placed their new trophy in their temple before their idol of Dagon. This should look good. Another notch on their belt. After arranging it until things looked right, they left and went about their evening as what I could only imagine, was full of shouts and prancing around fires.
Only the fun just got started for God.
They came into the temple the next day and found Dagon flat on his face before the Ark. How weird. That’s…not quite right. They set him back up and probably forgot about the whole thing. But the next morning, there he was facedown again. And this time, he had his hands and head cut off so it couldn’t stand on its own anymore.
God would even put idols into submission to His ark. Literally.
In verse 5 it reads, “That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold.”
And that’s funny.
I think the reason I blurt out the saying so much is that I’m so prideful and sure of myself. And when I fall, there would be this aura of shock and disbelief washing over me. But then I would find myself laughing with God. I felt in that moment as I try to pull myself together, He would slap my knees and remind me, Don’t get so hung up over yourself. I’ve got this. I still love you for who I’ve made you. We’re gonna get through it together. I promise. Just enjoy the ride.
I don’t know where you are in trying to live this life He has put inside your skin and heart. But I’m starting to believe that as broken sinners, sometimes we just need to wriggle through the cracks and step back to see things through His eyes. We can let go and be free in His presence.
Ive made a huge mistake
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Life is not that bad.
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