Sputtering

Completely and utterly futile
My thoughts on where to begin
My life has come to a standstill
Those who say nay are thinking they win
I cannot find that avenue I seek
That channel I find lacking
The canal through which would sail
My craft with success packing
I have no place to point my aim
No finish line oer which to cross
And when I grab alongside hand
It turns into, yet again, a loss
Dawdling still I find my lot
Alone, no help in this plight
No soaring plans to take me up
Sans partner in yet untested flight

     -

Eight year old kings and thirty year old children

The Second Book of the Chronicles, King James Bible

     Chapter 34

     Verse 1: 

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years

     2. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.

     3. For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.

Josiah was all of eight years old when he ascended the throne, becoming king of all Judah and Jerusalem. He didn't have the assistance of David, his biological father, at that most crucial point in his life. 

     I have heard it said that the maturity level and level of intelligence was higher in those days, and I am inclined to agree with that musing. However, even at an advanced level, what EIGHT YEAR OLD would be ready to lead an entire nation??? 

It's nuts. 

Crazy talk.

     But that's kinda my point. At eight years old, Josiah ascends the throne. He is following King Amon. A disgusting, wicked, ungodly ruler. The worst example a young child could have for a leadership role. King Amon was so bad that it was actually his own servants that eventually assassinated him because of his ever growing list of trespasses! 

     So that's it. Amon is dead. Eight year old Josiah is heir to the throne and is rewarded with the crown. The leadership of a country torn by idol worship, pagan practices, and a virtual civil war when the people assassinate those who assassinated the previous king!

     Yeah. I would have failed. I don't think I can honestly say I know of any people who would have been able to take that and run with it. Well, not without running themselves and the country into the ground. But Josiah did. He ran with it. Verse three says that he ACTIVELY sought after God and His ways! He had NO ONE to show him how to behave, how to conduct himself, how to run AN ENTIRE NATION. And yet he did it. Not bemoaning his father's earthly absence, but instead turning to the One who always is available to show us the way we should go. And he didn't just casually ask, he did "seek" God's will and then purged out that in the nation which was contrary to God's purpose and will! Josiah is truly an amazing instance of reliance on God's direction alone no matter what the challenge may be.

     This is the point I wish to make today.

I taught myself to shave.

I crafted the inspirational messages that drove me to excel in sports and physical fitness.

I drove myself to be a competent writer.

I taught myself how to conduct myself as a guy.

I had no one person who showed me how to develop into the man I should be.

     And yet I am expected to be a man.

Confident.

Mature.

Strong.

Wise.

Spiritual.

     But with no one to show me, I have an excuse to mess up, right?

Wrong.

     I can spout all I want about the challenges I face, about the inequality of other people having an instructor on how to stay strong for those around them, to make life decisions, to stand tall as a self assured individual, but when it comes down to it, all that is required is for me to follow God. Josiah was eight. EIGHT. I will be twenty four years old this year. I can moan and complain all I want about the leadership I lacked, but that does not excuse me from the responsibilities I still have. Josiah was tasked with leading a nation with no older, wiser source of guidance, and he responded the only way he should have, he turned to the Lord. Psalms 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." I have access to the ultimate guide, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the ultimate guidebook, the Holy Bible. I have no excuse. I'm not even tasked with running a single city, much less a whole nation, just my own life. And still I look for excuses, blaming those in my life who were not there instead of taking responsibility, forgiving those who were absent, and taking control of my choices and life decisions to live my life honorably and in spiritual victory.

     I'm not discounting the pain. I'm not saying the struggle doesn't matter. I'm saying there is healing in God's grace for the hurt we go through, and there is help in His Holy Word to tell us how not to be crushed under our worldly weights. 

     Don't believe the lie. Don't perpetuate the cycle. Our world is full of men who continue to say they don't know how to lead because they've never been led. Give your life to the Lord, let Him lead you. And I promise, He will turn you into a leader. Whether it's of your house, your family, your church, your city, or countless numbers in a government position or mighty church revival, God will let you lead once you learn how to follow.

     So stand up guys. Not even just the older ones. Come on twenty-somethings. Your youth is not to be wasted. Give the youngers something to follow. Break the cycle. I for one don't want to raise a bunch of "I dunnos" who are incapable of making an eternal difference in this world. Be the change you wanted to see in the generation before you. Their time is coming to an end, it's our turn now. Be the man you always wanted to have as an example, and be the example for the one's coming up next.

To Love Is To Have Lost

Valentine's Day.
Singleness Awareness Day.
That Stupid Holiday To Make Single People Feel Bad.
The 14th Of February.
Thursday.
Just Another Day.

     So many meanings for a simple day on the calender. For many it is a day to celebrate and indulge in the romantic affections of one whom they believe to be their one true love. For many others it is a day that pinpoints their lack of something which society today places overmuch emphasis upon. For still others it is a day for brooding, for regrets, for dark admonishment of future lack of tenderness. The original sentiment is rather vague as legend surrounds much of this holiday's factual history. However, the general idea of this day seemed, originally, to be one of sacrifice. Not of the sappy, romantic sort espoused today; rather a deep giving of ones self, up to, and including, the giving of very life for the love of another.
     Although facts on the origins of this day are, as aforementioned, rather vague, the popular legend tells us of a Christian man who gave his life in defense of his faith. It was not for another man which he died, but because of his unwillingness to betray the One whom he had pledged his life to serve.
     Now I'd like to probe the lore of the first Valentine's Day card. Saint Valentine, as he came to be called, performed marriages and shared messages of hope and love with the government's troops. This was forbidden as such romantic sentiments were thought to make men weak and ineffective in battle. As a result of this outlawed practice, Valentine was brought before Emperor Claudius II to face judgement. The emperor was impressed with Valentine's sincere expression of God's love through his services and recognized the potential usefulness of such dedication. After trying to persuade Valentine to reject his faith and join the Roman empire as a priest of their order, Claudius was then almost persuaded to believe in the Christian faith by Valentine's refusal and earnest confessions of God's love for Claudius! However, this attempt was unsuccessful and resulted in Valentine's imprisonment awaiting execution. While in prison, Valentine grew to know the jailer and his family. One of the jailer's daughters had been born with a handicap, being completely blind. Valentine, being an earnest servant of God and not wanting to see another human suffer in this life, earnestly implored God to restore the young daughter's sight. As a result of his fervent prayer, the young daughter was miraculously granted that ability which she lacked since birth. As a result of his role in this work of God, Valentine grew very close to this young woman, perhaps even reaching that celebrated moment of "falling in love".

THIS IS THE PART I WANT YOU TO SEE

On the evening before Valentine was to be executed, he sent a letter to the jailer's young daughter, whom he had become romantically close to. He signed this letter "from your Valentine", and this is where we are said to have got the concept of calling the cards we send "Valentines". But my point is this: his love for her, his desire to enjoy her company, his yearning to hear her voice, see her face, feel her touch, were overshadowed by his actual act of love in allowing himself to be put to death. He could have given in to his yearnings, he had an avenue of escape. All he had to do was profess his faith in the Roman church and he would have been freed. Free to live a life of expected bliss with the woman he so desperately longed for. The modern world would say "why did he let himself die? If he truly loved her, he wouldn't let anything stop him from being with her". And they couldn't be more wrong. Valentine knew he would be committing a supremely selfish act by putting his desires above those of his God to see him serve Him till death. How would it be a loving act to put forth a selfish example for his beloved to follow? and knowing that it was God's will for him to die, would that not mean that God had a different will for his beloved to follow as well? So to betray his faith and take her to his side would be to deny her the possibility of living out the life of glorious service and joy which God had planned for her. How would that be an act of love? No, denying his own desires, putting HER well being and God's desires above his own, THIS was the ultimate act of love. Willing to do what he knew was best for his beloved, even if it meant his complete separation from her, even to his death.
     So my question for you is, is this the love you practice? Does it serve to fulfill YOUR wants and desires? Or does it look to provide a wiser, more fulfilled walk for those you profess affection for? I even hear "I just want her/him to be happy", oh really? And that's why you continue to contaminate their life with your selfish desires, unwise advice, and immoral lusts? If you cannot further their fulfillment of their ultimate goal in life, being as close to the will of the Creator as possible, then YOU DON"T BELONG IN THEIR PERSONAL LIFE. I have realized this, I have yet to accept it. It's a harsh reality. But I needed to share it.

As a nursery rhyme has spoken well
The roses in life are stained blood red
As a life pierced through by thorn
A heart that to emotion will sell
It's wisdom will then be led
Till all it's tenderness is shorn

Violets that speak of the sky
Holding a pleasing, gentle hue
Having no concept of their value
So a life will swallow that lie
Not knowing their worth is due
To the ignored beyond the blue

     -Armas