Reconciling......................Me

The last two or three posts have been about some sort of reconciliation. Reconciliation is properly defined as an exchange; or restoration to divine favor when used in relationship to the reconciling of souls. I have been blessed recently by posts shared by Mizrepresent and Blu Jewel; both of whom shared deeply and eloquently about processes of self discovery (my words) they've been through. Those posts reawakened with new insight a thought about a familiar passage of scripture regarding the prodigal son. Of the entire story the verse that stands out the most for me right now is;

And when he came to himself,
he said,
How many hired servants of my father's
have bread enough and to spare,
and I perish with hunger! Luke 15:17 KJV

The prodigal son is described as having wasted his substance with riotous living (he went buck wild). Maybe, just maybe this made it easier for him to "come to himself". But for many people and to some extent myself, life is ok, I'm living Holy, and my wife and kids are happy, but I recently realized that in the midst of taking care of everything else, somewhere along this journey I got a little lost. To put it a little clearer, I almost lost.....ME. And I'm now reconciling myself.

I can relate a little to the prodigal son. When he came to himself, he was able to evaluate the difference between where he was and where he should have been. Once he saw the difference he could effectively pursue reconciling that difference. Life at times can be so fast paced that you wake up one day step into the bathroom prepare to brush your teeth, comb your hair, or shave, and you look at the person in the mirror and you utter those famous words, " I don't know who you are anymore". Well I'm glad to say that after a rather tense 2008 and a 2009 filled with change, I'm getting reaquainted with SLC. And it all starts and end with God's Word.

Love y'all

Reconciliation - Greek - katallagē - exchange (figuratively adjustment), that is, restoration to (the divine) favor: - atonement, reconciliation (-ing).

Reconciling - Greek - katallassō - to change mutually, that is, (figuratively) to compound a difference

Reconciling Peace : After The Due Order

For because ye did it not at the first,
the LORD our God made a breach upon us,
for that we sought him not after the due order.
1 Chronicles 15:13

Another awesome thing about God is His tendency to allow do overs. These are opportunities I've taken advantage of numerous times in my life.

2 Samuel chapter 6 records the story of the Israel's and David's attempted to bring the Ark of the Covenant to the City Of David. David brought "all" the people with him, although the scriptures specifically stated that the Levites were responsible for the care and transportation of the Ark. So many times well meaning people are included on journeys and in undertaking various duties God has ordained for someone(s) specific to handle. The more the merrier some may say, but God has never been one to rely on numbers for success.

The next error was when they placed the Ark on a new cart. While it may sound complimentary to be placed on a new cart, it was actually an act of disobedience, possibly caused by what they saw other non Israelites get away with. When the Philistines wanted to remove the wrath of God from their land, they also placed the ark on a new car and had it pulled by cows, but the Phillistines didn't know better and they were not in a covenant relationship with God. To better explain this Israel's error imagine this. You've just received an expensive gift from a loved one, but you're not happy with the gift because you specifically asked for something else; a request you made from your heart. The expense of the doesn't compensate for your disappointment. A new cart could impress people, but it could not remove the fact that they were in disobedience. Per God's word the Ark was always to be carried by Levites. (Nothing Between my soul and my Savior). Oxen and a new cart could not substitute for the touch and the relationship.

"When they arrived at Nakhon's threshing-floor, the oxen stumbled; and 'Uzah put out his hand to steady the Ark of God. But ADONAI's anger blazed up against 'Uzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his offense, so that he died there by the Ark of God.(2 Samuel 6:6-7 CJ)"
Needless to say the journey was not completed that day. Instead the Ark was taken to the house of Obededom and stayed for three months.

This temporary failure is referenced by David in 1 Chronicles 15:13 where he says, "For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order." There is indeed an order in which God likes things to be done and his Word will not change so neither will his order. Fortunately our God is a God of new opportunities. The remainder of 2 Samuel records how David and the Israelites took advantage of the opportunity afforded and ended the journey with David dancing his way out of his religous garb, and into a greater relationship with and appreciation for God. Because they sought him after the due order.

I've got another opportunity to go after what God has always wanted me to have, and to do what God has called me to do. This time I'll seek Him, after the due order.

Pray for me.
Praying for y'all
SLC