David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished. 1 Chronicles 28:20
Last week my pup had an exam scheduled with the vet. I received a letter telling me to bring a stool and urine sample with me. Alrighty then. The morning arrived, and I had a mission. Armed with containers, I was ready to complete my task whether the pup would appreciate it or not. I positioned myself to swoop in and catch whatever might come out, while trying to look natural so he didn’t suspect my motives of being a little closer to him than normal.
All seemed to be on track until he started going. As I made my move, my pup had a startled moment where he wasn’t too sure what world he landed in because my behavior was just not normal. All he knew was that I should cease and desist immediately. I was able to make my first collection, and we headed back to the house without him fully finishing what he set out to do.
A couple hours later, the pup rang the bell to let me know he had to go back out again. I grabbed another container and he sighed thinking not again…what has gotten into her? He wearily trudged down the yard casting glances my way as he made it to his area. He’d act like he was about to go, peek at me out of the corner of his eye, then stop what he was about to do. He did this several times before he decided to take his chances.
His eyes told me everything that was running through his mind. I came up with this monologue just for you. It went something like this: Seriously, what is wrong with you lady? I put up with a whole lot and let you do just about anything you want to me, but really? Why do you have to get all up in my business during the one time that is a bit private? Do you like it when I push open the door when you’re having your private moment in the bathroom? Nooo, but you think this is ok? Let’s just pretend this never happened. It’s embarrassing, and frankly, really uncomfortable. How about we keep this part of our relationship separate. You leave me to do my thing and all will be good.
What he didn’t realize was that I had to get into his business to keep him healthy. If I kept his grooming up, his behavior on track, but left his health go, he wouldn’t thrive. This got me thinking about when we allow God into our lives, and how He doesn’t just stay in certain areas. Nope, He gets all up in our business. Every area. No exceptions. These include the ones that we want to keep separate from Him…the ones that we’re uncomfortable with when He starts invading.
Even if we except God getting into certain areas and making changes, the people around us might not be comfortable with that because things aren’t going how they used to. We’re changing and that makes them reevaluate their private areas. Many people can handle the storms of life hitting from the outside easier than the blasts from the inside.
My hubby was called into work a week ago due to a buildup of pressure in the water lines that caused some to burst inside the building. Something that really was a bit of a disaster was contained to minimal damage compared to what it could’ve been.
A few weeks before, they were dealing with flooding due to weather that went from the outside in. There was some joking going on to a guy that seems to accumulate his fair share of “junk” in his office. He was teased that the flood from the outside in couldn’t clean out all his stuff; it took a flood happening from the inside out to do it.
My hubby was just chuckling when he told me that, but that was huge in my mind. It made me realize that it isn’t always the stuff that hits us from the outside that creates change. Most times, it will take God on the inside clearing everything out because when it’s coming from the outside, we end up with more of a mess. However, when God starts blasting away that pressure that has accumulated in our lines is when we get free of the junk that we might be embarrassed that God would even see.
Just like I needed to get all up in my dog’s business to keep him healthy, God needs to get all up in our business to keep us healthy. It isn’t easy…it’s downright uncomfortable most times, but it’s for our own good. This is when we can show our courage be allowing the work to be done rather than running the other way, which I’m sure my pup wanted to do. He didn’t though, even when I just know some grumbling was happening in his mind.
I challenge you to take David’s advice to Solomon. Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.
Aren’t our bodies now God’s temple? Isn’t that where He resides? Let Him into every uncomfortable area inside you today. It’ll be an adventure you won’t soon forget, and I guarantee the ending will be well worth the uncomfortable period!
