Wise in our own eyes

Is has been so chilly down here...unusually so for the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Back in December, we had such mild weather, that our peach and pear trees had blossomed. While they looked absolutely beautiful, loaded with soft pink and white flowers, we hated to see them come out so soon, since it was only December. This past week, we have had low temperatures down into the teens, and I am afraid that we will not have any peaches or pears this year because of the frost.

In Josh's Bible class last week, we read the story of Joshua and the Hivites from the city of Gibeon. They were a group of people, disguised as distant travelers, to take advantage of Joshua's integrity and his good word. They had heard that the Israelites were overpowering all of the cities in the Jordan, and the Hivites became afraid. So, they played on the pity of Joshua and his men, and asked that Joshua would swear an oath that he would leave them in peace and not attack their [deceitful] group. Joshua, without even consulting with God, relied on his own senses and emotions, and made the pact. When he realized he had been taken advantage of, there was no one to blame but himself, and because he gave his word, he was bound to the treaty. Had he taken the time to simply ask God for wisdom in that situation, surely God would have revealed the truth, just as He had done so many times for Joshua in the past. The outcome would have been very different had he listened to the spirit rather than his own feelings and what seemed right to his human eyes. So many times, we too, are quick to jump on a bandwagon without seeking God for direction. Often, we are faced with a need, a crisis, or even a ministry, and we leap before we seek. Then we are forced to carry out this plan in our own strength, often leaving us with anger, bitterness, and resentment against the very people we thought we were supposed to help. I am thankful that the Lord, in His great mercy, can bring good out of any situation, eventually, but how much better would the outcome be if we would just take time to pray, and ask God how He fells about it. Then, we stand still until we hear from God. After all, He sees the beginning from the end in all things, and He knows the best route to take, always. I have, in the past, experienced the results of poor timing, and relying on what "seemed" right at the time, failing to really hear from God. I have also been witness to people stepping into things out of a feeling of obligation, or even sheer emotion, only to see disaster befall them, and those around them, because of it. There are always going to be needs, problems, and even opportunities to minister to other people. If we are wise, we will learn to seek God in all things, before we step out blindly into something that may never have been ours to begin with.

If our beautiful trees had just waited a few more weeks, it's possible that they could have given a harvest beyond our wildest imaginations! But now, with their frost bitten leaves and blossoms, and their tired branches that have been forced to bear a load of vegetation weighted down with ice, the best we can hope for is some fruit, however few it may be. As for me, I can take away a lesson learned. Trusting in the Lord enough to wait on Him, for His guidance and perfect timing, so that my fruit will not only be satisfying to my own soul, but a blessing to those around me as well.