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Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Growing up has it's moments:
The little baby rolls over.
Then the little baby crawls, and eventually pulls up on the furniture.
Then there are first steps and walking.
Then there is running.
Then elementary school, and reading and the basics.
Then there's middle school, with the social pressures and algebra.
Then high school, and driving and extra-curricular activities and jobs.
Then college comes along, with all sorts of discoveries of self and careers.
Then careers, with their pitfalls and victories.
And, every step of the way we become more and more self-sufficient. Whereas before crawling, there was dependence on parents to get you everywhere. After crawling, a parent can actually wonder where the child is, usually being very happy inside the cabinet where the Tupperware is kept...having a great time...on their own.
Same for walking around and climbing...usually playing on the swingset in the backyard all by themselves.
Then they walk to school by themselves...and eventually ride bikes to school by themselves.
There is having to know all about their homework all by themselves, and then a lifestyle that allows the pre-teen to have all sorts of information and experiences the parents don't know about.
This only increases in high school...and by the time college rolls around, the "weaning process" is complete, with a fully-formed adult living life, out on their own.
Picking themselves up by their own bootstraps. Being their own person. Taking care of themselves.
Hogwash. Hogwash to the 10th power.
Scripture is very clear on the idea that we are anything but self-made, and Psalm 131 highlights that reality:
"Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother, my sould is like a weaned child within my. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever." (verses 2 & 3)
Remember from yesterday that David was reminding himself that, even as king of Israel, his "heart" was not proud, nor his "eyes" haughty...he was not selfishly ambitious.
The allure of the world can cause these things. Deep in our souls we want "more" from life, and then our eyes open that window to our soul. We want more stuff. More power. More popularity. And, if we had supportive parents, we buy into the American Dream: That if we work hard, apply ourselves we can be whatever we want and obtain whatever standard of life we so desire.
And this is true. The "American Dream" can become reality...we can be self-made and accomplish much using our various gifts and talents.
But our souls will become discontent...no matter what. David found that out. He had wives and concubines and was so confident militarily that he didn't go to battle in the springtime when most kings went to war. You know the rest of the story. An affair. An child outside of marriage. A murder. He had it all, was discontent, and fell to depths that should shock us with their relevatory insights into our own souls.
David gives us imagery we can all relate to. Even in those "self-sufficient" moments growing up, like when you almost got hit by a car riding your bike, or you forgot to do the entire science project, or fell off the skateboard, or got hurt by the boyfriend/girlfriend, or didn't get into college or didn't get the job promotion...
...composing and quieting our souls is usually found "against the mother." Even though we were weaned, when the chips are down, being comforted by mom is sometimes the best elixir for hurting.
And it's the same way with God: Deliverance from haughty eyes and proud hearts, being self-made and self-sufficent, comes when we realize that contentment is found in the Lord, resting like a child with their mother.
So, what are we dealing with in our own strength, that we need to humble ourselves and rest in the Lord? Trust me, being a "grown-up" ain't all it's cracked up to be...practically and spiritually...
Brent 7:08 AM
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