Over the last few weeks, I have been participating in a Beth Moore study with some of the women from the school. Honestly, I joined more for the sake of trying to get plugged into the school even though I don't work there. However, i am finding that the push to be back in the Word and to be examining my own heart was exactly what I needed. We are taking the study slow -- only meeting every other week -- which makes it manageable for even the busiest of schedules. It also allows time for letting the content soak its way into hearts...mine included.
This past week we looked removing obstacles in our life that keep us from experiencing true freedom. On day three of this particular study, we looked at removing idols in our lives. The whole days study was very good, however, there was one particular verse that really struck me. Isaiah 44:20 says,
"He feeds on ashes; a deceived heart has turned him aside. And he cannot deliver himself, nor say, 'Is there not a lie in my right hand?'"
He feeds on ashes. Wow. What a powerful picture. Trying to nourish your body with the leftover waste of things once good. A deceived heart that keeps telling him that the ashes are what he needs, that they will sustain him. Wow.
Even more WOW because it is truly a picture of me. In the midst of the move and the total change of life over the last year, I have been trying to feed my soul on ashes. I am trying to find nourishment and sustenance from things once good, but now nothing more than leftover waste. Ashes. No wonder I feel like I am running on empty...I AM on empty. You can't nourish your body with leftover, rotten food and your certainly cannot nourish your soul on leftover experiences. I can't hope to keep running the Race if I am not giving my spiritual body what it needs. I can't live my life off of what I have learned in the past, off of what I have heard, or off of what other people say. If I do ANYTHING less than regularly feeding my soul on the Word and on prayer I have no hope of finding endurance. I cannot hope of finishing the race if I don't give my soul what it needs.
Feeding on ashes....yea, like that is going to work.
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Oh, the picture? That is from the dedication at our school from this past weekend. Apparently breaking a clay jar is traditional at the celebration of a new event/building, etc. Interesting, though. I had never seen it done and so I was surprised to see that when the jar was broken, there was water and flowers inside. Ironic -- an Indonesian custom can have such a Biblical meaning. "For we have this treasure in jars of clay..." We truly MUST be broken to find the treasure within. Thank you, Father, for breaking me.
Some more photos from the dedication in case you are interested (the school opening its new campus -- 45 minutes from town -- this August after 50 years at the old campus). This was a day to celebrate new beginnings and to publicly thank all of those who had a hand in making it happen.
Thank you, Janet. I'm in the middle of the process of being broken, and your words were just what I needed to hear today. Great pictures; looks like a great event and a great school!
Posted by: Kara | October 15, 2008 at 02:17 PM
LOVED reading this today!! Fun to see the new campus too. :)
Posted by: Jacki | October 16, 2008 at 01:16 AM
I love Beth Moore - I'm currently doing my fourth study (life of David) with her materials. Glad you are gleaning so much!
Posted by: sally | October 16, 2008 at 12:36 PM