Scripture: Proverbs 23:31-35 NLT:
Don't gaze at the wine, seing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down. For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake; it stings like a viper. You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things. You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast. And you will say, "They hit me, but I didn't feel it. I didn't even know when they beat me up. When will I wake up so I can look for another drink?"
Observation:
We, as creations of the God of all, desperately crave freedom. It's a deep longing for escape. Escape from my daily grind, from the things that seem to bind me down. Surrender. Fun. Rest. Joy. And the enemy has provided innumerable ways to seek it. So, so many . . . and ALL of them wrong because they'll never truly satisfy the need I have. They soothe for a time, but leave me more empty and hungry at the end, because they push me away from Yahweh. I want to really BE, in the same way that He exists--in incredible freedom and pulsing vital reality. God REVELS in His existence, and in every tiny little thing we do that pleases Him. He laughs, dances and claps and rejoices in our good efforts, and can't wait to pour out His approbation on us. That's what I crave, really. I want Him. And He is the only thing that will fill that craving.
Application:
I don't ever want to seek an escape in anything but the LORD. He is SO much better than anything else. I've tried my share of ways to fill that hole . . . and all they do is deepen and widen it. I lose myself in darkness when I don't seek the light. But the fruit of surrendering myself to Him, of worshipping with abandon, are so, so good. I want to sing and dance and shout out loud. :o) I wish there was a way to do that without waking the kids in the early mornings . . . lol Maybe God will show me how. :o)
Prayer:
Oh Lord, don't ever let me forget how Good you Are! Show me how to worship You in every step, every thought. Help me find greater freedom in Your Grace, and learn to live and breathe only You. I've never found such freedom anywhere else--and nothing can compare to You! In Jesus' name, Amen.
(Update: He did show me how: I went running. lol It was great!)
