Rooted, Yet Changing
When is a lot of money too much money, and when is a little money too little money? One of the proverbs/prayers of Agur reads, “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown You and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” (Proverbs 30:8-9)
It seems that Agur had a good understanding of himself. He knew his limits and weaknesses. He realized that he could be tempted on either side of the resource issue, and he knew that he could fall. This was really an expression of honest personal wisdom.
How do the ups and downs of life affect your perspectives of yourself, others and God? Do you find yourself riding with your circumstances, or have you begun to sink your roots into the deeper, more unchangeable realities in God? Agur decided that His relationship with God was the most important thing in his life, and he did not want that relationship to be jeopardized by poverty or riches.
Spiritual and emotional rootedness comes from planting and cultivating truth in our lives. We need the Word of God and its eternal truths to inform our perspectives. We need people of God’s truth to speak “into” our lives. And we need to be teachable. People who delight in the truth of God, and who say, “No” to the evil and mocking counterfeits of the rebellious are like “Trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in season and whose leaves do not whither. Whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 1:3) Truth and “good company” promotes good morals and solid perspective.
Good health necessitates more than eating good food, it also involves healthy exercise. So, a solid life calls for more than the intake of truth, it also involves application. God’s truth often requires a willingness to change our thinking and course of action. This is not always easy, but it is mandatory. If we are not willing to change, we cannot grow. Are you willing to change your perspectives to agree with God’s? Are you willing to make your relationship with Him the central theme/obsession of your life? Are you willing for your changed perspectives to germinate into concrete and long-term changes in your lifestyle? This is what the Bible calls, “Producing fruit in keeping with your repentance,” or “earnest repentance.” (Matthew 3:8; Revelation 3:19) Lifestyle changes that develop as a result of aligning our thoughts and perspectives with God’s are the incarnation of wisdom – God’s ways informing and changing your way of life.
Gladly Changing with you,
Pastor Tom
tgriffith@rolcboston.org
