The Plumbline

Of all possessions a friend is the most precious. (Herodotus) Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family. (Proverbs 18:24 MSG) We might think being surrounded with a multitude of people we refer to as 'friends' is always a good thing, but as you may have already figured out, not all 'friends' will be there when you are going through a tough time. Mom always used to quote this passage to me when I bemoaned not having 'friends' like all the other kids my age did. She'd remind me that to have a friend, one needed to show himself or herself as a friend FIRST. That meant this introvert needed to be a little more outgoing! It took me years and a whole lot of time alone with Jesus to actually become a little more of an extravert, but it didn't come naturally to me. I found myself wanting to draw back, hide behind whatever mask was available, and just 'be there' without really being there. If that might hit home for you, the...

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. (Psalm 62:5-8 NLT) Our psalmist gives us insight into victory in our lives. He says it quite clearly: "Let all that I am wait quietly before God." Why? There is no greater hope than his protection and his 'oversight' of our lives. We might think it is a bit of a waste of time to take time each day to center ourselves on him, studying his Word, and just getting his insight. If we want a life filled with the 'unknown' and 'chaos', this might be the way to go. If we want one of order and insight, we might want to try waiting quietly before him for even a little while! Waiting doesn't mean we aren't doing anything. It means ...