A Meaningful You

I wish when people said stuff, they meant it.

That statement is very plain to have so much meaning. Perhaps I should explain what I mean a little more thoroughly.

I don't exactly mean that people shouldn't lie. People lie all the time. Maybe not even on purpose, but it happens nonetheless. With specific regards to lying and my statement, I wish that people didn't tell hurtful lies. Things like "I love you," "I'll never give up on you," "You're worthless," etcetera. Those lies can drastically change lives. They either falsely build someone up, or tragically tear someone down. As far as the first two go, they aren't always lies. But if you don't really mean it, then you shouldn't ever say it. Actually, it is even possible to tell a hurtful truth nicely. My mother is incredibly gifted at that. Instead of saying something like "That dress makes you look like a beached whale." She will come up with something like "Try this! It is much more flattering." She is consistently proving to me that it is possible to say anything nicely.

Part of what I mean when I make this statement is what people do. Actions speak louder than words. For example, a father who tells his son not to drink alcohol, but is an alcoholic himself. No one respects a hypocrite, so why would anyone want to be one? Yet, there are far too many hypocrites in this world. People are consistently inconsistent with their actions. Multiple people in my life have said meaningful words and followed them with meaningless actions. I try never to follow their example. I try to never make promises I can't keep, and I encourage my readers to do the same.

I also mean that people should be the same in any and all circumstances. Personality shouldn't change when the group changes. One should always act the same. At work, at church, at home, at school. Everywhere people go, they should retain their perspective personality. If a person is not the same at school as they are at church, then they are "saying" something they don't mean. They are presenting a person at one or both of those places that doesn't exist. My advice? God created you for a purpose. If you change  who you are depending on your company, then you are not fulfilling His purpose for you. He only needs one of you, so that makes you pretty special. Troubles and all.

The norm these days is to be inconsistent. People almost demand that you change your ways to "fit in" with your crowd. Society has set the example of fluctuating personalities, depending on your circumstances or situation. Like puppets, people follow these rules and norms. In the end, they become a mixture of people that don't really exist. It must be hard to keep up with all of those people! My question for you is simple. Why would you want to be this way?  Why would you desire a life filled with things you don't mean and people that don't really exist? It will destroy you and God's purpose for your life.

If people would only say what they mean, both by words and by actions, this world would be much less confusing. I encourage all of you to be who you are, no matter who appreciates it. I want you all to stand for something so that you don't fall for everything. Don't let the world be the puppet-master of your life. Take what control you have, and be what you mean to be. Find you, and be you.

My Lesson for Today

^"13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.

¹⁴ Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.

¹⁵ And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

¹⁶ O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.

¹⁷ Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.

¹⁸ O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.

¹⁹ O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name." (Daniel 9:13-19)

These are the verses I have spent the last few days trying to memorize. (Yes, I have successfully done so!) It's long, I know, and I commend you for reading it all! It is beautiful and it teaches a tragic lesson of love and mourning. Let's take a look at it, verse by verse.

Daniel starts off by saying that his people knew what would happen because they were warned. They just didn't want to believe that their God would punish them for their sins, so they didn't ask for help. This is classic of children. Actually, it is classic of people in general. We always think that we're right and no one is going to correct us, so we don't ask for help or guidance. This can lead to big trouble! It definitely led to trouble for the Israelites.

The next thing that Daniel notes is that God does punish His people. Anyone who has read the Bible knows that a good parent will chastise his children. However, Daniel also notes that God punishes His people lovingly. It is important to recognize the last part of that verse, because everything God does is righteous. What child willingly acknowledges that his parents were right in punishing him? Daniel makes sure to point that out for us. He recognizes that his people have disobeyed God, and that they deserve what is coming to them.

In verse 15 Daniel reveals what God has done for His people ("that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand..."). He tells us again how good God is, and then points out how wicked people are. This shows that people fall into temptation easier than they may like to admit. Even God's chosen people, who saw Him work in ways we can't even imagine, fell into one of Satan's traps.

Verse 16 turns the tables a little bit. Daniel decides here that he is going to challenge God (to some extent). He asks God to "turn thine anger and thy fury away from thy city Jerusalem."  He is mourning for his nation. First, he tells God that he knows there is evil. Then, he says that they deserve the evil, because everything God does is right and good. After that he praises God's goodness and tells Him that he knows the people have sinned and done wickedly. So why does he ask God not to be angry? Why does he try to explain that the nation is already going through trouble? Keep reading.

Daniel continues to ask God not to be angry. Now he asks God to look upon His "sanctuary that is desolate." He knows that the only way that his people can come out of their turmoil is if they have God's help. And so he proceeds to beg God to save Israel. Again.

The last two verses are actually my favorite part. Daniel is still mourning for his country. But now, he's revealing his heart to God while he mourns. He tells God why Israel needs Him. He doesn't pour his heart out to God for his righteousness, but for God's great mercy. He knows that he is just a sinner, and that he isn't good enough for God. But he also recognizes God's great mercy and compassion. He knows that God loves His people, so he begs Him to show that great mercy once again.

Okay, now that we can see all of that clearly, let's compare it to our present-world state. Isn't America undergoing some evil? Europe?  Asia? You name it? Isn't our world enduring some evil? More importantly, we were warned, weren't we? Just like Israel. And, just like Israel, God is angry. The difference is that there aren't very many Daniel's out there nowadays that are truly mourning for their country. Not many people are begging God to open His eyes and see our desolation. Very few people are asking God for guidance, help and forgiveness.

Our world needs more Daniels. People need to mourn for their country the way he did. Christians need to stand up and be heard. We need to take a look at our surroundings and fight for what we know is right. We need to call upon our omniscient, omnipotent God for guidance, help and forgiveness. We need to pray Daniel's prayer and mean it the way that he did.

This enlightenment has helped me "find me" in a way. It has helped me learn to mourn for the lost, for the world, for my nation. It has helped me learn to pray by revealing my heart to God. He knows it anyway, but He likes it when I'm willing to share with Him. This lesson has helped me get a little closer to God, because it came directly from Him.

Priorities

Everyone has select people or things that give their life meaning or worth. Most people have someone that they love dearly, who makes them feel appreciated. Everyone has someone that is important to them.

Who is most important to you? Who in your life do you feel that you couldn't live without? Have you ever considered this before?

I want to challenge everyone reading this to choose those people. Next, I want you to do everything you can to let them know that. Not just once, or even once yearly. I want you to let that person feel loved every day.

Apart from God, my family is top priority in my life. My Mom, Dad and little sister are most important to me. Extended family, church family, and friends too. But immediate family comes first. I make it one of my daily goals to let them know that. They come before everything else, including myself. As I grow, I make it a goal to always be close with them. Other people I love are put in that category as well.

I make this challenge because I was recently put in my place by one of the people I had chosen. Evidently, they did not return that feeling and they did not want to be on my list. That's fine. I can take a hint. But if they had chosen what they found important and shown that, no one would be hurt. This person actually gave me this challenge not long ago.

"Choose the people who are important to you, who matter. Keep everyone else at a safe distance. Life is easier that way." That is what I am doing, and it is the best advice I can offer anyone. Please do choose the people or things you want on your list. Make sure you let everyone or everything on that list know they are appreciated. Set your priorities and stick to them! Life really is easier that way.