For a woman seeking a man, E-harmony is a bit like being in the Miss America pageant. It’s “supposedly” not like the Miss USA or Miss Universe Pageants where the focus is predominantly on her physical beauty—being “hot” in a swimsuit & glamorous in a gown, able to spout something trendy about world peace & compassion a la “save the children”. No, E-Harmony claims to be about the total package…brains, beauty, fitness, style, grace, energy, confidence and the ability to articulate intelligently. And for elevated depth, E-Harmony throws in a spiritual component.
The female contestant astutely answers a series of interview-type questions posed by the Judges. She shares her talents for the entertainment of the masses. She navigates the runway of Must Haves/Can’t Stands praying she can make it to the Final Round…Open Communication…where if she is poised enough, she might still have a shot at the crown.
Yet in the end when the Judges have made their decision she can’t help but wonder, “Did someone forget to give them the rulebook on how to score points for internal beauty, spiritual maturity, intellect?” In consolation of loosing again to the prettier (or naughtier) girl she raises her head a little higher, squares her shoulders, & smiles bravely as an outward demonstration of great class while inside she whispers to herself “I knew all along that I didn’t stand a chance of winning.” She tells herself that it certainly felt special being among the beautiful contestants for a while.
When the lights are dimmed and all the excitement has faded, she turns to go. If she’s lucky she walks away with all the elements of that “total package” still intact, even if no one else notices. And if she’s really fortunate, she realizes that she is beautiful—even without the crown.
“I found your words and ate them.Your word was joy to me and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by your name oh God of hosts.”Jeremiah 15:16
My day of departure from this adventure I have been referring to as Breakfast on the Beach and it is fitting that the sun has gone into hiding.I’m standing on the beach just as I have every day this week…waves still come crashing in and foam still laps the shore, birds continue to screech & dive for their morning meal, the ocean persists in its roar, the sand remains cool & damp between my toes & beneath my feet, shells & seaweed continue to litter the terrain, tides ebb & flow just as they have everyday.And though it cannot be seen, somewhere beyond the present clouds the sun is still shining.The scene has not changed, only the lighting is different.God steps center stage and speaks the same line He has uttered for centuries, “Come and have breakfast with me.” {John 21:12}
This week I came to Jesus with my questions and my concerns.I came in bewilderment and confusion over circumstances in my life.I came wounded from the battle.I came with my longings, the desires of my heart even as I was questioning my right to have them.I came hungry and thirsty.I came because the Sovereign God of the Universe whispered an appeal to me to “come and have breakfast”.This God who created all things in heaven and on earth wanted to spend time with me…it is both unfathomable and divinely affirming. This “time” was more than chronos, a ticking of the clock as one minute follows the next…this was kairos, time that is charged with opportunity & significance.
God met me overtaken with hunger & thirst.As we broke bread together He showed me that questions and doubts are not the same, that there will be things He allows in His wisdom that He could prevent in His power, and that His strength is made perfect in my weakness.He reminded me that surrender is not a one time action but a daily submission of my will to His Sovereignty, picking up my cross & following hard after Him. He comforted me that nothing catches Him by surprise & nothing will happen to me or in me without first passing through Him.He assured me that wisdom is mine for the grasping.He encouraged me that He is the God of second chances…and third, and forth, and fifth…the God who gives beauty for ashes {Isaiah 61:3} and He who restores the years that the locusts have eaten {Joel 2:25}. He cautioned me to hold fast to right priorities and loosely to treasures that will fade.He gifted me with a vision of healing and the promise of hope and a future serving Him with those I love.And as He heard my cries that I am undeserving of such a feast,He revealed to me that Christ’s cradle was a trough, a symbol from day one that Jesus had come into the world to nourish even the most unclean creatures.
God’s call to Breakfast on the Beach is an invitation to fellowship that is not altered by circumstances or the passing of time nor is it affected by my unworthiness.In His mercy and goodness Christ offers Himself a daily banquet for my soul where I may be filled to overflowing.He, the Bread of Life, bids me come and dine.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they SHALL be filled.”Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6 Interestingly, the original Greek translates “for they alone shall be filled”…
Breakfast on the Beach commenced early today in order to embrace sunrise over water and sand. Quietly, morning appeared and though I’m not a runner I felt freedom to play along the shore, racing to beat incoming waves to a predicted spot on the beach. Sand wet & hard-packed, my bare feet left no prints. It’s almost as if I flew above the firmament. God’s Presence permeated my time alone this week. I felt burdens lift and my heart’s heaviness dissolve. Absence of footprints in sand symbolizes my inner calmness as I imagine the Lord carrying me as we floating together.
A few hours ago a woman passed me strolling and praying on water’s edge. I noticed she carried a bag and I watched in curiosity as she repeatedly bent down to pick things up. At first I thought she was collecting shells. Then I heard her mutter to herself something about winning the lottery of sand dollars. Sand Dollars…hmmm, hadn’t even occurred to me. Sadly, in an instant my prayers cut short as my own personal quest for sand dollars overtook me. Greed ensnared me as I felt compelled to gather “my share” of the bounty. It didn’t take long to realize that chasing after them was futile. For starters, there were plenty of seashells but sand dollars were much more elusive, only a few leftovers from the previous woman’s take. My eyes ceased to focus on splendors of sunbeams reflecting on endless sea; my ears no longer marveled at majestic ocean wave, forgotten were cool breezes caressing my face. Collecting sand dollars became my mission.
Surely God would understand. There’s always time to pray & I can do that anywhere, right? But rarely does an opportunity like this come along. I had to make the most of seeking my fortune while I could. I scoured the beach for treasure and soon encountered my first sand dollar. Delighted at my discovery, a large black one, I scooped it up and smiled at my good fortune. “Nice one,” I congratulated myself. Yet no sooner had the words crossed my lips than the treasure crumbled in my hand. “Wow, fragile little things,” I thought to myself. “I’ll have to be more careful with the next one.” Another 5 minutes or so elapsed before I discovered the second one, carefully picked it up & laid it gingerly in a napkin I’d brought along with breakfast. I must have devoted 20 minutes searching for my sand dollar lottery before I realized how crumbly they are when dried. I managed to find 5 or 6 in all but the outcome was the same…not one of them remained intact. They splintered & crumbled like week-old crackers and all that remained were flakes, grains of sand, and pieces of dollars scarcely hinting of their former design. Disillusioned, I headed back up the beach where I earlier abandoned my breakfast & Bible. Embarrassed by the distraction, I apologized to my Lord who was waiting patiently to resume our breakfast on the beach.
Gently, Jesus revealed the foolishness of chasing after earthly treasure. Wanting nice things isn’t wrong. God does not begrudge our possessions. On the contrary, I believe He delights in blessing us. Still, we are to “hold loosely” to things of this world lest they crumble like sand dollars to be carried away on the wind. “ Take heed and beware of covetousness; for a man’s life consists not of the abundance of things he possess.” Luke 12:15
We are free to accumulate wealth but at what cost? “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36
God calls me to a different kind of riches, “Lay up for yourself treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust corrupts…for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:20
The woman I spotted earlier just passed me again, her bag bulging with beach-combing bounty…I wondered as she carelessly dropped another sand dollar into her collection bag what will be her reaction when she arrives at her destination to find a bag full of worthless fragments? No small irony that this is called Folly Beach.
“Lord, give me neither poverty or wealth. Provide me only with the food I need…” Proverbs 30:8
Thank you Lord for meeting me once again for Breakfast on the Beach. And thank you for reminding me as I hunger & thirst after righteousness, you are the Bread of Life nourishing my soul until I am filled.
Livin4Jesus 