Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Disillusioned

Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
Psalm 56:1&2 (emphasis mine)
Lately I had been a little apathetic toward the whole blog world - the world in general, too. I love to read different posts, especially when other christian women share their personal studies of scripture. However, when I get to the comment section, I can't help but wonder if we're just 'singing to the choir'. So often, the comments are all about patting each other on the back for our insight.

Is that a bad thing? No, of course not.

When anyone shares their thoughts on scripture or shares a personal testimony of how God is working in their lives, I try to express my encouragement and my appreciation. But, are we learning anything new, or just rehashing the basics? Are we challenging each other? Are we looking to be challenged? (these thoughts might explain my recent posts on mediocrity!)

Obviously, when a debate does occur it needs to be respectful and backed with scripture - arguing just to argue accomplishes nothing. Challenge is something different. Iron is supposed to sharpen iron, after all.


Maybe this is how pastors feel when they preach and teach God's word but no one is really listening and looking to change because of how it should affect our lives. All around me, personal friends as well as some of those I visit online seem to stuck in a rut - stuck in mediocrity! I was beginning to feel as if these things would swallow me up - just like the scripture above says.

Then I went to my homeschool conference! I listened to moms who have completed this journey; I listened to a HS graduate; I perused new books and studies for education, but also for biblical study. It was refreshing and challenging and...WONDERFUL!

Here is the next part of that Psalm:

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
Psalm 56:3&4

I should have kept reading when I was feeling dragged down. Why can't I remember to turn to scripture?! He always knows what I need, even when I don't.

So I am ready to start again. Ready to share my thoughts on biblical things even if no one else cares or reads them. Expressing myself on this blog is something that does bring clarity for me. I need to stop focusing on others and my opinion of how they need to change and spend time on how God would have me change.

Pray for me to keep focused!

I will share more about the conference in coming days...

1 comment:

Mrs. Parunak said...

I'm so glad to hear that the conference was refreshing and refocusing for you. We all need times like that!

I do not think we are always only preaching to the choir. I think, for starters, that more people read blogs than actually comment (which is a shame, but it does seem to be the case). It also seems like many people, especially women, dislike conflict so much that they won't disagree unless they're really bothered by something. This means that most blog comments ARE the "pat you on the back" type, with a few of the "WHAT are you thinking!?" type thrown in very occasionally. The middle of the road people you just hardly ever hear from. HOWEVER, I believe that they're still thinking (at least the more tenderhearted among them are), and our words can have a cumulative effect that can go a long way towards changing hearts over time.

I'm glad you're blogging again.