Live long and prosper

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

It's one of the most loved promises of the Bible.  Especially the word "prosper" which has been seized upon by many.  However so often we overlook the context of the promise:

"When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity.  I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile." 

Jeremiah 29: 10-14

For the Israelites, the promise of restoration to peace and fruitfulness is given in the context of faithful endurance after 70 years of exile - struggle, and subjugation. 

Note also that the "plans" and "prospering" refer to being restored as God's nation WITH THE INTENTION that this would lead them to once again fully engage in relationship with God.  He directs them to seek him with all their heart, collectively, but also individually.  When they call on him, he will listen to them.  He will reveal himself when they seek earnestly for him.

Firstly, God allowed Israel to be taken into exile, to be subject to the pagan Babylonians.  Why?  Because they were not following God and He loved them too much to allow them to turn their back on him for good, which would lead them to destruction.  This temporary place of suffering was a tool that God employed in his mercy to redirect their path back to him.

Secondly, he had no intention of leaving them in that place, and rather than allow them to believe He would, he gave them a message to clue them in. 

Now, for word "prosper" which is often fixated on!  We need to realize that the treasures of God's Kingdom are not the same as the world's!  God has no need of gold or gems.  He owns it all.  The world is his footstool - real estate is a false reality, since he owns it all.

To prosper in God's Kingdom, the treasure in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal, is beyond the physical.  Jesus frequently references the fruit that believers will bear, when they stay connected to him.

When we are looking for financial prosperity, or career, possessions etc, we miss the very heart of God!  While, in his wisdom, he may grant us these things, we should seek God with all our heart as he alone is to be treasured!  Closeness with God is what we were created for, and is the ultimate reward.

We will prosper in the Kingdom when we receive love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  And in turn we will often find prosperity in life when we display a character like that!

Safeguards

Do use your car headrest? Do you lean against as you drive, or do you find annoying, possibly something that messes up your hair? It's funny, how we can find something annoying when we don't understand its purpose, and maybe even remove it from our life without understanding what we've done.

Recently when I was in a fender bender, it was explained to me that in an accident, your head first whips back and then forward, and then back. Without the head rest in place, your neck bears the full 180° brunt of that impact.

In our lives, God has placed similar safeguards, that protect us from unexpected danger. But when we don't fully understand the purpose of his safeguards, we might reject them and even remove them from our lives putting ourselves and those around us at great risk.

So, even when the safeguards cramp your style, get in the way of your plans, maybe even mess up your hair, it's best to realize that God is infinitely wiser and more prepared for the future than we are.

Anger Issues

"In your anger do not sin" Ephesians 4:26 says.  It doesn't say to be angry is a sin, but cautions that unresolved anger can lead us into sin.  How?

 

Sometimes we get so hurt by someone that we don't forgive them, even though scripture says "But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions." Mark 11:26

 

Sometimes we are so beat down that we stop trusting, to protect ourselves, even though scripture says "So we may boldly say: 'The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:6 and "The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him." Nahum 1:7

 

At times our anger is so great, toward the person that wronged us, whether it's the driver in front, a parent, a friend, or a spouse, or even God himself, that we refuse to seek peace.  Even though scripture says "And "don't sin by letting anger control you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry," Ephesians 4:26

 

Often, we do whatever feels good to us, regardless of the consequences, even though scripture says "Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself," 1 Corinthians 6:19

 

We seek our own retribution even though scripture says "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord." Romans 12:19

 

Our world is full of anger.  We are bombarded with inflammatory new and commentary, polarizing our opinions and distracting us from what Jesus actually calls us to do. 

 

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31

 

Who is you neighbor?  The driver who just cut you off, your frustrating parent, that friend who was not there when you needed them, the spouse who isn't perfect.

 

"Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." John 14:23

Little Dancer

It's recital day, 9 months in the making!!

Emma won't be alone in this one - the opening number is a dance with daddy!...


Then was her big number that she worked all year for!


So proud of all the effort and commitment she puts in to new endeavors.

This week she was elected to the Student Leadership for next year, her final year in "grade school".  And accepted to the community service club.  She wants to try Hip-Hop next year, and still do gymnastics!  I'm exhausted already!