Randy is the guy who smokes all the meat at Big Horn BBQ, where I work. He and his family have a ranch in Rosharon. They show cows. Last Saturday we went to see his youngest daughter, Mia and her four cows. She's been doing it for years and she's only 10. She has trophies and buckles. They judge each breed in groups. She brings in the cow and make it stand still while a judge looks over each one in the group. In one group her cow was the youngest and therefore the smallest, but still judged with one older and bigger. Each ring has it's own judge. It is very subjective to what that particular judge is looking for or likes. For instance, in one ring her cow was the biggest and the judge said she was the complete package, but chose another one as the champion. In the next ring, with another judge he chose hers because she was the complete package. Subjective! Dean would never be able to survive that! He would be so frustrated that there were no absolutes, no standards. The argument can be made that if you lost, it really was more about the judge than you. It could get you off the hook or make the loss more bearable.
I was thinking about how God is completely opposite. He, like the judge in the ring, is the only judge, but He has absolutes, standards. He told us what He expects and what He is looking for. There is no surprises or favoritism or wondering what kind of a mood He is in.
There is so much in this world that is subjective and sets itself up as the goal to be met. How does a style or particular look become the standard that everyone is judged by? Why is one group of people the "in" group that everyone seeks to be a part of? Why is a person allowed to set themselves up and bully everyone else?
I am glad that God doesn't change. That He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. I can count on Him to follow His own rules and not change them half-way through. He alone is my judge. Not the magazines. Not the "in" group at church, school or work. Not my family, friends or anyone who thinks I am not good enough.
We get so caught up, don't we, with what others think or say? I know it has taken a lot for me to be comfortable in my own skin and not so worried about what others think. There are times that I still long for that assurance that I'm ok. I feel bad when I'm not included or thought of. BUT GOD!! I love when I can add those two words after any difficult time or circumstance. BUT GOD...you can fill in the blank with whatever fits.
BUT GOD ~ is my friend! BUT GOD ~ says I'm the apple of His eye! BUT GOD ~ said He is strong when I am weak! BUT GOD ~ said I can do anything and everything He sets before me when I am in Him! BUT GOD ~ said He is my healer!
BUT GOD ~ __________________________________________(you fill in the blank)
It can be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of life, society, friends and trying to fit in that we can miss the importance and security of knowing that God alone judges my heart, my actions and my life. Now, God does say that we are to judge others by their fruit...not judge their motive or heart. He also told us the standard for judging their fruit, we don't get to change that according to what we think and He said we need to judge ourselves and deal with that first.
Next time you look in the mirror, remember who you are according to God and His standard. If you need to deal with something in your life, deal with it. We will all stand before God as our judge, but we need to start today with living according to His standards and not others.
Hebrews 13:8
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever".
Numbers 23:19
"God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill"?
May God richly bless you as you step into the security of knowing Him and walking with Him.
Have a fab day!
~ Jodi xoxo
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