Distinguished

"...and he separated the light from the darkness." - Genesis 1:4b I'm thankful for the way in which our Creator distinguishes and separates His creation. His work of separation in creation brings order out of chaos.  Light from darkness.  Night from day.  He makes a distinction between the plants, animals, and the climax of his creation humankind. We exist because of God's intentional, supernatural act of creating order, functionality and beauty out of chaos.

While we take for granted God's work of distinguishing in creation and the physical order, are we aware that He also does this in the spiritual realm? He takes us out of darkness and distinguishes us as children of the day. He calls us out of bondage into freedom. He brings us out sinful habits and lifestyles into His holiness.

Although God created this world for us in all its vast beauty, He also created us for another world, our heavenly home. We are a peculiar people, unique and set apart for His glory. God's purpose in distinguishing us is twofold: to give us a peculiar platform by which we can share his love here on earth, all the while preparing us for an eternity with Him.

For Reflection:

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." - 1 Peter 2:9

Hard Work, Low Pay, Miserable Conditions

Hard Work, Low Pay, Miserable Conditions.  This was the slogan of the CCC (California Conservation Corps) in the 80's when I signed up.  At twenty years of age, no direction in life, and a love for the outdoors, somehow it appealed to me.  By the way, I just took a peek at their website.  The slogan remains the same except that they've added "and more" at the end.  I wonder what "more" could possibly be?

Jacob experienced his share of hard work, low pay and miserable conditions.  In recounting his time of toil to his father-in-law Laban he states, "This was my situation: The heat consumed me in the daytime and the cold at night, and sleep fled from my eyes. It was like this for the twenty years I was in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times...."  - Genesis 31:40-41

Jacob the deceiver had finally met his match in the person of Laban. Laban treated him unfairly, squeezing as much as he could possibly get out of his son-in-law.  It seems that that Jacob needed to have this experience of hard work under cruel conditions for his own personal growth and maturity.

Nevertheless, God's favor and blessing was upon Jacob.  With the exception of some jealousy and rivalry between his wives, Jacob prospered, revealing that God's hand was clearly upon him.  I've read this story many times, but this time I noticed something different - a connection between hardship and blessing, perseverance and reward.  God's blessing often comes as a result of years of difficulty, enabling us not merely to survive, but to thrive in the furnace of testing.  In the process He works on our character and disciplines us when needed, as He did with Jacob, until we have the capacity to be faithful stewards of that which He entrusts to us. And ultimately we are rewarded for our faithfulness. 

As Jacob processes his long and often difficult history with Laban, he continued, "But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands..." (Genesis 31:42).  I'm thankful that we can know God's favor in the midst of challenging times. Whatever we might go through - hard work, low pay, miserable conditions - these can become opportunities to experience God in deeper ways.  Today, I choose to lift my eyes to a God who is able to leverage my present circumstances to fulfill His greater purposes.

For Reflection: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." - Genesis 50:20

Look in the Rearview

"Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them." - Exodus 14:19

God's presence, manifest in the pillar of cloud, went before and in front of the people. This reassured them that He was leading. It gave them confidence, a visible reminder that God was on their side. But all of that changed when God's presence moved from out front and above to behind the people. I wonder if this re-positioning of God was disconcerting to His people? Could they feel an unexplainable change? Did they sense something was different?

I love it when God seems to be out front and above, guiding and overshadowing with His presence. But I'm still learning to trust Him when He moves to the background and goes behind. I'm realizing that even in these times He is actively relating to me, just in a different way.

Prayer: Like the Israelites, sometimes I feel trapped between a merciless sea and a threatening army. Lord, give me Your perspective when I look in the rearview mirror of life. Give me a glimpse of your constant presence. And may I be reassured, knowing that You are working to bring about a great deliverance.