Long time.

So I haven't written in over a month which surprises me because it's so theraputic for me. But, I think it stems from the vast lessons the Lord has been teaching me. For the past month I really have started getting a whole new perspective on life, the value of time, the importance of priorities, and the sacrafice of walking in obedience.

The first story the Lord let me see in another light this week was in Daniel 3. Many of you who grew up in church know how the story goes... King Neb. makes huge gold statue, he demands that his citiziens bow down and worship it, three men with crazy names stand up and refuse to obey him, they get thrown into the fiery furnace and the Lord saved them. It turns King Neb. heart and starts following the real God.

But, when I read the story verse by verse, soaking it all in, I saw things in such a different light!

First, King Neb. had quite the temper! It makes me think about how much harder it is to walk in obedince and stand up for right when you have a man quick to anger dealing with you. Me, being a people pleaser would probably hold true to my conviction but I would definately sugar coat my answers to him. I hate confrontation, I hate being a let down and disappointment, and I get uneasy around angry men. But how amazing is it that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego simply respond to the King by saying "O Neb. we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, teh God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand. O King. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O King, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image you have set up". WOW!

I strive to live a life of obedience. But, do I handle my convictions with the grace that these men did? Can I just rest in the confidence of knowing that the Lord called me to act upon my conviction and let that be enough? I believe that response reflects whether I truly trust him or not...