Will the Real Me Please Stand Up?

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(Psalm 32:6) Therefore, let everyone who is godly offer prayer to You at a time when You may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach Him.

O

This describes people who know and trust God--they invest time and attention to building a safe and secure relationship with Him in anticipation of distressing, destructive life circumstances. When caught in such crises, strong currents of emotions and frantic intentions sweep us into strange, unsought places. But by establishing a secure resting place in God before floods engulf us, godly people find themselves emotionally and rationally anchored to the safe and secure, immoveable Rock.

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I know God uses the water of His Word to wash away real contaminates (Ephesians 5:25,26). The goal of this pressure hose is our wholeness. Michelangelo chipped and scraped marble blocks to "release" iconic representations of people, but the Holy Spirit removes misrepresentations of His image so--in His image--we become liberated to be our true selves.

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Lord, be my soul's strong anchor amidst chaotic floods (Hebrews 6:18,19; 12:27,28). Search me and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any evil way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23,24).

Smack Down

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Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial." Acts 23:6

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Paul, having been dragged into "court", realizes that it is divided between Sadducees and Pharisees. He identifies himself with the Pharisees, and claims to be on trial for his beliefs, those of the Pharisees: "the hope" and "the resurrection of the dead."

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Paul is feisty here. He's not backing off one bit. Having been smacked in the mouth at the High Priest's command, he doesn't cower, but tries to turn the debate to his favor. He exploits the differing beliefs between the Sadducees and Pharisees to get one side routing for him. His boldness is really different from the way Jesus acted when He was on trial, but it's clear from later on in the chapter that Jesus appears to Paul in order to encourage, rather than correct him. Paul is both shrewd and bold. Maybe even a bit of a hothead for Christ. Am I, or do I worry too much about giving offense?

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Dear Lord, make me as bold and shrewd as Paul, for Your sake. Let me always be motivated by my love for others, the hope of their salvation, and never by the desire to "win" a debate.