This is America for you... you get rights as you get taken away for a crime you have committed.
In America, the land of the free they call it, you have the right away when you are turning right... you have the right to say anything you want because you have the freedom of speech... you have the right to a good education... you have rights and if you don't, you fight for it, doesn't matter the cost.
Today I had lunch with a friend. We talked about this very subject. How we, coming to another country, give up all our rights.... our right to privacy, our right to shop without everyone looking into the bags to see what you bought, our right to make a "legal" driving move, our right to raise our children in green grass and public playgrounds (outdoors), our right to breath clean air, our right to wear sleeveless shirts, our right to hold our spouses hand in public, our right... and the list could go on forever...
After that, I got the privilege to watch a movie on my own... A was with a friend from church. I went to go watch "King's Speech". As I watched that, believe it or not, I thought of the very subject again... our rights... our right to be loved by our parents, our right to be praised and not ridiculed, our right to criticize....
As I drove home, I thought of Jesus. He laid down all His rights as King and came as a "commoner" to give us our rights as His child, we are heir to our King. When you think about that and the momentary things here on earth you are giving up for His glory... it's absolutely nothing compared to what My Savior has done for me.
I do often think of my right to have a husband... A's right to have a daddy... our right to long for a family... I think of my right to correct someone who is not doing it the right way... I think of my right to be heard... I think of my right to luxury as those others... I think of my right to a nice home... I think of my right to have more children... I think of my right to think I am right... I think of my rights... and when those rights are in anyway touched... it ruffles my feathers. I don't like it.
I forget sometimes how temporary this place is. I forget sometimes that this is not my home. When I forget these facts, that is usually when I tend to cling to my rights. When I don't put into perspective that my time here on earth is like only a minute compared to the eternity I will have with Him, I pout and throw a tantrum because I'm not getting what I think I desire... my so called rights are being invaded.
I pray that my perspective with not be shaken... I pray that Satan will be so far from me and not be able to whisper lies to me... God is my Rock... I wholly give my rights over to Him... Have your way Lord!!!
I'm reading this book that I got as a gift from RB and TB. I've started it a couple times, but this time I can't put it down. The book is called, "Grand Weaver" by Ravi Zacharias. I am proud to say that this man is an alumni to the school I will be attending in the fall!!!
There is something I read in this book that I want to share... It's on pages 50-51...
Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd -- that's relationship!
I shall not be in want -- that's supply!
He makes me lie down in green pastures -- that's rest!
He leads me beside quiet waters -- that's refreshment!
He restores my soul -- that's healing!
He guides me in the paths of righteousness -- that's guidance!
For His name's sake -- that's purpose!
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death -- that's testing!
I will fear no evil -- that's protection!
For you are with me -- that's faithfulness!
Your rod and the staff, they comfort me -- that's discipline!
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies -- that's hope!
You anoint my head with oil -- that's consecration!
My cup overflows -- that's abundance!
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life -- that's blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord -- that's security!
Forever -- that's eternity!
Author of elaborated material unknown
We have all this... God has given us all of these!!! He gives us relationship, guidance, testing, hope, blessing... all these things are from Him. So why do we whine and think life has to be fair?
I was talking to my friend, JM, on skype the other day and as I asked her the very question of God being fair, JM told me that her professor in college used to say that the fair was in August.
I laughed, but so true... God is God... I AM WHO I AM... That's who I serve... the Great I AM. How could I question Him? But the thing is, I can. Will I get an answer? Not always... but again, it's just momentary... giving up the right to know. That's not faith... Faith is not about seeing nor is it always about knowing. Sometimes you don't know until after it happens... Sometimes maybe not even til glory.
I feel like I'm just blabbing right now. These are just some thoughts, as random and unrelated to each it may be... It's what's been going on in my heart.
I do want to make one thing clear though... I am not trying to say one country or rules are superior to the other or one is right and the other is wrong... Go back to scripture I guess is what I'm saying. What does God has to say about it?
Pray that I will continue to be a woman that could put my rights aside and give to the Lord what is rightfully His... glory, honor, my life... I want to sacrifice my rights to my Father... Let Your will be done!!!
