January 22, 2013
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Convicted again.
I love being in The Word and I love that I Iove it. I genuinely think it's something we, Americans, take for granted. The fact that it's so easily accessible to us. I'm writing this from my bed and currently I have not one or two ways I could read His Words but…six. All in arms reach. iPhone, laptop, iPad, NIV Bible, NLT Bible and a NASB study Bible. I kind of feel sick writing that. There are people imprisoned for being Christians, who are and could be arrested for having segments of Scripture etc. and here I sit, in the comforts of my home with six "Bibles" in reach and I find days where I "don't have time" to be in His Word. I often wonder what the imprisoned Christians or restricted believers in other countries would think if they had an insight into our "hard" lives as believers.
I digress.
I also love when The Word convicts me and pulls at my heart strings. Well, it's a love/hate relationship because who really likes being confronted with their own short comings? I love, love that God continues to challenge me and refine me.
I have a girl on my basketball team who is, quite honestly, a habitual liar and all but 1 girl on the team can't stand her. For the most part, it isn't a secret either and I continually hone in on everyone being a part of the team etc., I can't get them to treat her the way they treat their other teammates. They aren't mean to her face (which I don't excuse) but if she asks for something, say, to borrow borrow warm up pants the person asks/cringes. If it was anyone else, they'd do it…in a heartbeat.
I'd like to say I'm always 100% backing this kid and not giving into the rest of the team when they make fun of her, talk about her when she isn't around. As of late, her lies and manipulations have been off the walls. No excuse. I know. Last night before practice, this girl called me and told me she wasn't going to be on the team for insert a couple lies and maybe some truths. I waited until the end of practice to tell team, knowing they'd only talk about it/her negatively throughout practice and I didn't want that to be the focus.
Anyway, I've been going through James lately and writing in my Journible (such a great Bible study tool…if you want one, let me know…I can get my hands on them for FREE). It was no coincidence today that I was on Chapter 3 about controlling the tongue. In my Bible prior to writing today by verses 9-12 was written "Perspective". Chapter 3 is about the ship and the rudder, the bit and the horse and how that small thing controls something so large. Anyway verses 9-12 read, "9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?"
I get it. I was convicted for sure. For myself and for the team. I thought I'd share it on our Facebook wall but decided against it for some reason. Tonight we had a game and the girl who is the only real friend with the girl that quit had devotions. I'll be honest, I've never been as impressed with team devotions as I was with her tonight and am kind of ashamed I didn't think of it. I was proud to be her Coach before but what she did took guts and probably conviction on her part. She started off with explaining how she wasn't going to play on the team at first but was convinced by other players and went into how we're all part of the team, despite what role we play (something I've talked about quite a bit…). She then went around the room asking about each person in the room, what would we do if this person quit the team? The obvious answer was to beg, convince them not to…and not one person, including myself did that or even cared to do that with the girl that quit. Insert more personal conviction…called out by a freshman in HS. That's humbling and a good reality check.
It was then I shared my morning devotions and realized why I didn't write it on our Facebook wall. Neither of those were coincidence. Just another tangible way to see how God works things together perfectly. I often need that reminder. I'm thankful that He has provided His Words for us. A blessing, I often take for granted.
