Lesser Lights and Fleeting Shadows

The title is a phrase from the song "Still, My Soul Be Still."  The actual line is "Do not be moved by lesser lights and fleeting shadows."  Sometimes we are satisfied with less than what the Lord offers. We miss His best because we would rather focus on what is convenient or what is begging for our attention at any given moment. Our lists of things to do are made without considering what the Lord might want because there are so many demands on us - ones that are often self-inflicted. Shame on us when impatience and the refusal to reconsider agendas cause us to settle.
Do we live with a partial understanding of the abundant life that God has planned for us simply because we won't slow down? We choose the lesser lights that do little to uncover truth.  A variety of things - schedules, deadlines, worldly desires, fears, misplaced loves (just to name a few) - may bind us to those fleeting shadows. More often than not, we are just too busy, allowing our selfish choices to steer us from righteousness.
Each of us know when we are avoiding dealing with what is in our hearts, but when the truth is less exposed, then we feel less exposed...and comfortable.  God invites us to abandon the darkness and run to Him because shadows move aside in His presence. They are no more.
Lesser lights might have some value in a dark room but if we decide to live in and embrace those shadows, we will fall prey to hidden agendas - secret attractions to every temptation that vies for attention.  Sounds awful, doesn't it?  It is...and it happens so quickly we hardly even notice until convicted by God's word and His Spirit.  When we expose ourselves to Truth - in sermons, in prayer, in Scripture, and in Godly counsel, our attraction to those lesser lights and fleeting shadows fades.

Still, My Soul Be Still

“Still my soul be still 

And do not fear  

Though winds of change may rage tomorrow 

God is at your side  

No longer dread  

The fires of unexpected sorrow 

God You are my God  

And I will trust in You and not be shaken  

Lord of peace renew  

A steadfast spirit within me  

To rest in You alone 

Still my soul be still  

Do not be moved  

By lesser lights and fleeting shadows  

Hold onto His ways  

With shield of faith  

Against temptations flaming arrows 

Still my soul be still  

Do not forsake  

The Truth you learned in the beginning  

Wait upon the Lord  

And hope will rise As stars appear when day is dimming."

— WORDS AND MUSIC BY KEITH & KRISTYN GETTY & STUART TOWNEND

Camelot in Deer Park

This past week, my great nephew Oliver turned three.  I went by my niece Tamrynn's house to deliver his birthday present.  I was greeted at the door by a beautiful princess in a beautiful dress, Elsa, and a dragon just begging to be slain. Words failed me.
Elsa (Cherith) held a lid to a clothes hamper as her shield while she wielded her trusty spatula in defense. Princess Tamrynn held her cardboard protection against the dragon's flaming breath while staying his advance with her wooden spoon (also used at times as a tool of admonishment on the derrieres of said Elsa and Dragon.)  The Dragon Oliver was fearsome as he struggled to attach his clawed glove to his hand so he could portray the dangerous threat his female companions believed him to be.
Tamrynn indicated that this scenario was a regular occurrence in their dwelling. I commented that she - the mother of a four month old baby girl - should be very proud of the fact that she could fit into that dress.  She admitted that she was.
It is nice to know that Camelot is still in existence in all its glory.  A perfect world where valor, innocence, and victory still thrive.  You only think you know what goes on behind your neighbor's doors.
King Arthur showed up in time to whisk Elsa away in his chariot for a doctor's appointment.  It seems the flu has invaded Camelot.  I just hope I did not carry it into my castle.

A Funny Thing Happened On My Way Through Whataburger

I have developed an allergy to writing lately, but am working on a cure. Sometimes life offers a bit of humor and you just can't help but be grateful for simple moments of raw humanity.
On my way to my grandson Luke's Saturday morning basketball game, I decided to gain some popularity by showing up with breakfast.  Whataburger offers huge cinnamon rolls for a pretty penny.  After ordering four of them at a dollar ninety four each, I pulled up behind another car. By the time I got to the window, this is how the conversation went:
Young man around seventeen years old:  "That will be four eighty."
Me: "I think you mean eight forty."
Young man (stammering): "Oh, yeah. Sorry.  The girl in that car was so beautiful.  I, I am totally undone and discombobulated.."
I handed him the money.
Young man: "So, do you want ketchup with that?"
Me: "Um...no."
Young man (again stammering): "Oh, right... why would you want ketchup with cinnamon rolls? I'm sorry, I just can't get over that girl."
Me: "It's ok.  I remember those days."
I drove off smiling.  It was refreshing to see that cute girls can still undo young men and that young men will openly admit that they are flustered and unable to gain composure because of  them.
I delivered my rolls with the results I had hoped for.

Luke won his game 34 to 10. He is ten years old.  One day some girl will affect him in the same way. It's just one of the things that make the world go 'round.