Never Again

As I read my morning devotional about a week ago, I ran across a scripture that made me pause. 

I like it when that happens because it is a sign that God is calling my attention to something important. 

I have to tell you, for a while, I've been struggling spiritually and emotionally. You have only to read the blogs, my Facebook page, or have longer than a 2 minute conversation with me to know. On average, people don't talk to me much. 

Really. No one. 

Those who do talk to me, like me. Those who don't get a little intimidated. I probably needed braces when I was a child, because my smile just terrifies them. That or I smell bad. 

I digress.

When I paused over the verse, I made a mental note to come back to that scripture and read more of the text so I understood the context. Of course, as often happens, I moved on and forgot. Mostly because I didn't make a written note. 

The verse in question is in Genesis 8: 20-22. Verse 22 is the verse that got my attention. In these verses, God is repenting the destruction of the world by flood. We've all heard that talked about in Sunday School. This was this was the first time I noticed he also repents for cursing the ground when Adam and Eve sinned! Do you remember anyone preaching on that? 

He harmed the earth, his beautiful creation, and he regrets it. He doesn't reverse the curse because he can't. His Word stands. It's already done and the effects of that curse are already working. Verse 21 is one of the most heartbreaking verses I've ever read. 

 Gen 8:20  Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

Gen 8:21  And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. 

The creator is sorrowing because he cursed the earth and destroyed every living thing. He realizes how horribly corrupted his children have become, and it's tearing his heart apart. Their actions caused his response. He can't fix what they did or change his response to their actions. And it's so excruciating for him. We've all been there as parents, in some fashion or other. Haven't we? We've all hated the teacher who punished the entire class for one student's actions. 

In this verse, he expresses his grief and his regret. And he issues a codicil to his will. He adds a promise to the curse to atone for what he did to his lovely planet and the flora and fauna living there. He promises never again will he destroy everything because of human actions. 

Did you get that? He won't ever destroy the earth and all life because humans are evil from birth. In fact, he promises the natural order will continue as long as there's a planet. 

Gen 8:22  While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” 

The state of the planet has been worrisome for many of us. I look around at what is left and think how beautiful it is now, but imagine it in its perfect state. It breaks my heart, too. 

I don't care what science touts about greenhouse gases, global warming, glacial melting, or anything else. Nature will do what it was designed to do. It is a promise to this planet. Not people, to the earth. This earth will continue the natural processes until God sends a fire and purges it of the corruption that runs rampant. We're living in the beginning stages of this now.

 At the end of that conflagration, there will be a new earth. I suspect the fire will sanitize the earth. The seeds in the ground and animal life will return robust and free of the scourge of corrupt mankind. How wonderful it would be to see that. Yet, without redemption, we're doomed as human beings. Never to see the sun rise on a pure green sea or over a blooming meadow. 

What Happened?

 Something happened. 

I know. I can tell. Do you know what? 

Absolutely not. But I don't care. I'm just glad it did. I don't really know how to explain it either. 

Then don't try. Just enjoy the change. 

I want to understand. 

Of course you do. When have you not?

Well, that's how we learn, you know. And don't forget, learning leads to growth.

True. So....

{sigh} I don't know. I can't put my finger on it. I just know something changed. It is as if someone turned on the lights. No. That's not it. There was this darkness. 

Yes?

But now it isn't?

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A Croaker Sack of Super Power

 

You know, there is nothing quite like the feeling of worthlessness. It wears like a croaker sack. For the uninitiated, that is a burlap sack. It got its name because folks down south who gigged for frogs would put their catch in the burlap sack; thus, the name croaker sack. When I found that nugget, I thought it hilarious. Doubly so, since I'm a southerner and I never heard the definition of the name. Well, my family didn't eat frogs so, there is that. 

You were talking about worthlessness . . . 

I was. But don't you think that's an interesting tidbit? 

Decidedly. 

Yes, I feel totally worthless. I do nothing, contribute nothing, don't rank on any scale at all. I'm very smart, very talented, and really very nice. Just worthless. 

What are you talking about? 

Uh, I thought we cleared that up?

You've been a very productive person all your life. Had you not been, people would have struggled to get by. Some would have been destitute.

Got that right. Once I went to work, everyone had their hands out. 

{sigh} How can I get you to see past all that? 

I thought the whole point of suffering was to make us better people.

No, no, no. Suffering results from your fallen nature. 

What did I ever do to deserve all this? Wait, I'm not perfect, but I certainly did nothing so bad that I should be constantly trying to survive the onslaught I seem to attract.

Neither did I.

Right. But I'm not God. I understand what happened to you. That was a power struggle, and you won. I understand the horror in a limited human way. But thankfully you won. 

You don't think you're in a power struggle?

What power? I have no power. I can't change a thing. I can't fix a thing. In fact, the only thing I seem to be successful at is screwing up things. And that isn't something anyone wants.

Remember what Paul said in Ephesians 6:12?

Yes. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Yes, I've very aware of those powers. But no one ever believes me when I tell them there is a problem involving those powers. So...

You can't really control what people think or do. 

Hello? Isn't that what I said? No. Power. See, I'm worthless. Useless. Same thing. Can't fix the problem. Who needs me? NO ONE. 

We're going to agree to disagree on this for now. Eventually, I am sure you'll understand.

I know. Once we all get to heaven, we'll have all our questions answered. Great. So I have to die to get an answer. Wow.

You know that isn't what I meant.

No, I don't know. I'm so confused by all that is going on around me. I'm broken in ways I can't begin to explain. And so weary of it. I spend hours having this conversation. I'm struggling to tread water. 

Just take off the croaker sack. Put on the garment of praise. 

...

Did you roll your eyes? Surely not.

No. I already wear the praise shirt more than I ever have in my life. Then the real world comes barging in and I get knocked down. And before you say it, yes, I get back up. But you know something, we humans get tired eventually. There is a point where you can't get up. You can't lift your head, never mind your hands. You reach a place where lying there is easier than moving. 

........

Sorry, I don't have the answer. 

Endurance.

What? 

Endurance. You have endurance. You have fortitude. 

If you say I'm strong, I will not talk to you the rest of the day. 

You're not strong. You have endurance. 

I'm tired. So, so, so tired.

I know. And yet, you hang on. That's endurance. And that, my friend, is far better than simple strength. That's a superpower.

I am a croaker sack of super power.

Sure. If you want to say that. Personally, I think that's probably more uncomfortable than fig leaves. Change your shirt.

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