MORTON SALT

We have the  tendency to ask “Why me?” of the Lord  when we are in a season of testing and it seems that most things are going haywire—-health, family, finances, neighbors, co-workers, children, spouses, yes, even church. You may sometimes feel like you are in that old Morton Salt commercial with the little girl holding an umbrella in the rain with the caption, “When it rains, it pours!”  (If you are too young to remember it, just Google it.)  You see how I just dated myself again? ☺️. Stay with me.  It will all make sense soon.

The  last time (years ago) when I asked the “Why me?!” question,  the Lord  answered me in such a way that I never asked that again.  This was His response.

• “Why not you!  In order to reign with me, you must suffer.    (Phillipians 3:7-10) (II Timothy 2:12a)

• You need an attitude adjustment.  Instead of asking “Why me?!, you need to be seeking my face to see what I am trying to teach you.  In everything I allow to touch your life, I am trying to teach you something about Me and Who I am & something about you, and Whose you are!”

• As if that was not enough, He began to show me myself sitting in a dentist’s chair with that bright light that the dentist uses to focus in one’s mouth to closely inspect their teeth/gums, except that it was directed blindingly into my eyes.

• He said, “Instead of looking at someone else and drawing conclusions about them or passing judgement, you need to turn the “searchlight” on the inside to search yourself.”  (1 Corinthians 11:28a) (Matthew 7:5) (Luke 6:42)

The first thing I said was, “Ouch”!  Of Course, He was right, but I was not conscious that I was  doing that!  Hold on, He wasn’t finished with me yet. 

“

 He went on to say:

•  “You know how chubby babies/toddlers have those little fat rolls on their arms and legs?  Well,  in the summer when it’s hot, there is sweat in the creases and folds of their excess “fat”.  I know how you love the clean baby Johnson & Johnson smell BUT if you examine those creases and take a sniff, you will find dirt, lint, and the sour smell of sweat.  So, although they may look clean and smell adorable, a little investigating will prove that they are not really as “clean” as you thought.”

What was the point?  Sometimes we may look on the outside as if everything is spiritually in order with us, but closer investigation will show that we have unforgiveness tucked away in our hearts, thoughts that are not God honoring, attitudes that are “stinky”, unresolved anger toward others or even God, malice in our hearts, etc.

Ask yourself this question.  When I stand totally spiritually uncovered in front of the mirror of His Word, what or who will I see looking back at me?  Will I see the reflection of Christ?  If not, your next steps are found in His Word. 

  

1 Corinthians 11:28a,b (The Message Bible)

“Examine your heart and your motives.”

I John 1:9  (NKJV)  "If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Blessings.

~CWP~

(An Earlier Post.)