Painful To Hear, Painful to Teach

The Different Sides of God's Glory & Holiness

Have you ever seen the movie Lion King 2: Simba's Pride? It follows the story of Kiara, Simba's daughter, and her love with Kuvo, the enemy's son. It's basically "a child's" rendition of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. In this movie, two other characters also show up who are not new to the cinematic scene of Lion King admirers: Timon & Pumbaa. Towards the tail end of the movie, at the climax of the big cat fight (literally), Timon & Pumbaa are faced with their fears once again-fighting the enemy. Timon pounds his fist into his hand and says to Pumbaa, "There's only one thing we can do...when the going gets tough, the tough get going. That's our new motto..." in hopes to invigorate their cowardly spirits. However, once the lions make their thunderous roar, instead of "get going into battle" Timon quickly jumps and says, "Like I said, the tough get going!" and scatters away with his friend Pumbaa. 

Why do I share this? Like Timon and Pumbaa's seemingly new motto, there's one interpretation-you could say in this case the interpretation is "when things get tough it requires action not stagnation." Yet, as you saw, there can be more than one application-in this case either running towards the fight or running away from it!

The same can be said about scripture-the Holy Bible. There is only one interpretation, but many applications.

Yet, I do not want to stop there. I want to take it a step further and say that this same idea can be carried over to God Himself. 

What do I mean? I mean that God, Himself is One (Deut. 6:4), but is He is also "multifaceted"-we see this in the Holy Trinity=Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:26, Matthew 28: 19, John 1:1-18, 10:30, 17:20-21, Acts 1:4-5). 

But again, I don't want to stop there. Think with me, is not what do a reflection of who we are? Jesus Himself mentioned that from the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45)-how much more do the rest of our actions say about our heart, our core nature?! You can learn this principle in psychology and sociology, not just the Bible's proverbs. 

Thus, what does all of this say about God's actions? They are multifaceted because they overflow from His multifaceted heart. The meanings behind His actions can have more than one explanation because God encompasses many characteristics-WONDERFUL AND BRILLIANT characteristics I may add.   

Let's take a look now into scripture to see what I mean. Read (or follow the link to) Ezekiel 28: 20-26. --And let's set the stage, Ezekiel is considered a "major prophet" by Bible scholars and the Church today not because he is a major deal but because of the length of his book in the Old Testament.  In the beginning Ezekiel recalls a vision he has of seeing the Lord's angels (we later find out are called Cherubim), seeing God's glory upon the throne, and being called to be a prophet-not an easy or fun job. The job comes with being exiled, hated, and mocked. Ezekiel is commanded to dramatize each prophecy through physical actions-for example laying on his left side and then his right all to symbolize an impending future upon the Israelites (Ez. 4:4-8). Ezekiel witnesses God's presence leaving the temple, which is a BIG BIG DEAl. That's like the NFL saying they're never coming back to the Superbowl! God rolls back His glory for several reasons here, one major reason being that the Israelites (His chosen people) stopped following Him with their whole hearts. When we get to our section in the reading, God isn't finished with disciplining Israel, but now is also disciplining those who have hurt her (Israel).     

What did Sidon do to God's chosen people, it introduced cults-especially the worship of Baal (you can read more in 1 Kings). 

With all of this background (and there is certainly more), let's read verse 22 again.

 ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘I am against you, Sidon,

    and among you I will display my glory.

You will know that I am the Lord,

    when I inflict punishment on you

    and within you am proved to be holy.'"

Why does God say, in the midst of Him bringing disaster (which is a very important piece), that His glory and holiness will be known?

How's come God's glory and holiness is here with Israel's enemy, Sidon, instead of with them (Israel)?

Isn't God's glory and holiness supposed to go hand in hand with leaps of joy and exuberating happiness not anger and pain? The answer is no and yes. It's multifaceted.

I want to suggest that it is in this revelation-of knowing that God can bring destruction, infliction, judgement, and death through His glory and His holiness; as opposed to, just restoration, healing, blessings and life, that we have a much grandeur application from "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." (Pr. 9:10)

Why did I title this "Painful to Hear, Painful to Teach"? Because who out there can fully understand or accept that the God we serve can be swift, severe, stern, and sometimes even scary? I want to clarify here that: 1) YHWY (God) is not the god Hindu's see in Shiva who is known by his destructive and restorative traits which is based off how well you please him or not. 2)As you learn more about the Gospel you learn more of the HEART behind God's actions we read more in the Old Testament.

Please keep reading as I explain these points-

When bad things happen, we can not always assume it was because of our sin that God allowed such things (Read the story of Job).

On the flip side, neither can we then say, "God is cruel and causes pain for the fun of it all." We read in Romans 8: 28 that He 'works all things together for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.' 

God is multifaceted, but He is still good. No pain or infliction will be wasted. He brings all broken things back  and creates something new (read Revelation). 

 It is easy for those who haven't walked through God's trials and have not received that "crown of life" as James 1 talks about to succumb to this notion that God and the Devil are the same. 

Let us clarify the major differences for those of you struggling:

Satan says:

"Surely God didn't mean you would die..."-Genesis 3:4

Satan toys with our concept of God-

making God fit our logical understandings-

a god who is all loving and hates nothing-

certainly a god who wouldn't kill-

a god who is not multifaceted-

a god whose glory and holiness

bring happiness only.

Satan not only contorts the believer's mindset,

but the unbeliever's.

He persuades the un-enlightened mind

that darkness is all that there is,

that they deserve the pit,

that nothing can save them,

and certainly no one can hear them.

Jesus' says:

"Don't suppose that I have come to bring peace...rather I bring a sword."-Matthew 10:34

Jesus is blunt, honest, and sometimes brutal,

but all of it is meant to lead to repentance (Hebrews 12:6).

The sword illustration is not only used here,

but in other places:

Eph. 6:17,

Heb. 4:12,

Rev. 1:16.

All of which are describing His Spirit,

His very breath.

Jesus' image is much different than the hippy

we try to make Him out to be.

Yes, Jesus was revolutionary.

Yes, Jesus promoted love and unity.

But He also knew that things were going to get ugly

and sometimes He was/is going to be bringing in the storms.

We must have faith in His multifacetedness.

We must trust in one who

knows all things,

creates all things, &

restores all things.

As you can see, Jesus (God) is much different than Satan. And if you're are still not convinced, here is a more in depth (but certainly not complete) look at who Satan truly is/does contrary to some of those Hollywood movies you've watched or charismatic church preacher's you've listened to:

Satan cannot create. He is a creature, a fallen angel. 

He is the father of lies. 

He uses his light to trick and deceive people. 

He cannot make you do anything, but he can tempt you.

You still have your free will and can make choices within his domain. 

His kingdom is the world not hell.

He has lost the war, but can win battles.

He and the rest of the fallen angels from Heaven can possess anything-

meaning take over, control, or move,

but they cannot win your soul.

(Is. 14: 12-17, Ez. 28: 1-19, John 8:44, 2 Cor. 11:14, Gen. 3:1-5 & 13-15, 1 Peter 5:8, Eph. 2:2, Mark 3:20-26, Rev. 20:10, Rev. 12, Matt. 8:28-34, Luke 8:26-37, Mark 5:1-20)

So what do you do now since you've been taught something you've never thought you'd hear?

1. Stop making God so small and fitting Him into confines of your understanding because you like Him better that way-He can not be defined by just one word 
2. When different and difficult situations arrive in you life, don't give them one answered explanations-they are multifaceted as well!
3. Stop giving Satan all the credit! This is a big one! Because with this point, you need to reconcile the fact that a good God could and can bring such things as we read in the Old Testament.  
4. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going!" Let this apply to how we run into our Abba's arms regardless of what this life brings because that is where He truly desires us to be!  

   

When "Worship" Hurts

Moving Forward In Trauma

Church service has begun. (If you go to a more contemporary church service) the band goes on stage with their gleaming guitars, loud snares, and rough bass; the environment is meant to bring on feelings of welcome and excitement. The lights are dimmed except for on those now leading the crowd into a high-volumed, upbeat time of worship. However instead of being drawn into this moment of togetherness with God's people, your mind is a thousand miles elsewhere. Your heart starts to ache as if it was just stabbed instead of it's rhythmic beating with enthrallment. The song "How great is our God" (a 2004 hit worship song by the artist by Chris Tomlin) doesn't ring true at this moment, instead you'd rather be singing "Love Hurts" (the 1975 hit by the artist Cher). Tears flow down your face as soon as the band switches to the minor chords, but it's not because they're singing about Jesus' sacrifice...

Have you ever experienced this? 

I have recently been finding myself in this position...again. These types of moments can be spurred on by many things. A death in the family, a scandal in a marriage, an incurable illness, an overwhelming addiction....to name a few.

Currently, for me it's been because the new church I have been visiting reminds me of a huge developing period in my life that ended in shambles. It may seem like such a small thing, but let's keep in mind that everyone can experience trauma in different ways, shapes, and forms. 

For those who know me, from junior high to senior year of high school I was heavily involved in a church youth group. I, along with many of those I called close friends, were a part of a ministry team that coordinated many events, were trained in evangelism and team building; we went on numerous trips together, we learned and grew from each other in accountability groups and Bible Studies. That place became my second home. It was where I came to know Jesus, where I discovered my gifts and passions, where I felt accepted, and appreciated. It was my everything. 

But then dramas started to boil to their head, things we were taught were lies about others turned out to be truths; our youth leader's wife had sex with one of the students and got pregnant; pastors kept material from the police and the public, the lead pastor became egocentric, students attendance dwindled either because of this or because of the incompetence of the new youth leader, and many just left the faith all together.

It's been seven years since I graduated high school and since I left that church but the memories are still very vivid... when I say, memories, I mean emotions. 

Throughout these years, I have seen many people take different responses to such tragedies. Some deny such things ever happened and continue to only see the good; while some have shut themselves indoors to hide from anyone else who could ever hurt them. People have moved, some stayed. The church still stands (in my case anyways).

So here I am, asking myself once again, "How do I move on?" 

As a very self-aware person, I can't help but also take a look at my own life and see what sins I bring to the table as well-not being ignorant to the fact that we are all broken people and not just those who caused the heartache (Note, this is NOT saying you deserve what happened or belittling the incident). I have often prayed that God would make me forget such horrific things (both things I have experienced and done)....yet, I have found that we can't just forget the bad memories without it also taking with it some of the good. 

What do I mean? 

Here is what Robert Berezin, M.D (a psychologist and author) briefly says on the matter in his article "Erasing Bad Memories Is a False Cure for PTSD" on PsychologyToday.com: 

   "First of all, it is not even plausible that we can remove specific neurons that map traumatic memory and then all is well. The operations of memory and feeling are far too complex."

Robert Berezin also mentions that the only cure is basically working through it-a lifetime of working through it:

read article

"Mourning Is The Key"         

As a follower of Jesus, the Holy Spirit reminds me that He has been with me through all of these things-the good, the bad, the ugly. It is through God's omnipotence and omnipresence I have come to know that He is good, faithful, and true when the world was/is not (Psalm 139, Hosea 11, The book of Job, and others). With Christ I can do all things (Phil. 4:12-13), which means going through this healing process and becoming whole again.

Right now I can't sit in that church and sing those songs from years past because it feels like salt in the wound. But I can sit here and through a new song come to realize, God can take my past hurt and brokenness to help encourage you who sit in the same boat (because I know you do!) to not lose heart!  

I would love to hear your stories, no matter how short they are on how you are experiencing God the Healer. Please comment below. May we build each other up to be a strong, healthy, maturing body of Christ.   

Romans 12: 9-21

"Rejoice with those who rejoice;
mourn with those who mourn."