Exposed

What if people are like film? But Madelyn, how on earth could people be like film...? Well, think about it.

Film must be stored in a special canister. It must be kept in darkness until it is ready for use. When exposed to light, properly of course, it becomes a negative which later on becomes a photograph.

John 3:20 states 'Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.' People, like film, stay in darkness, for fear of being exposed or ruined. But the thing is, when film is exposed to light in the proper way, the potential is incredible! The film could be documenting a baby's first smile, or three generations of daughters. Or once developed, the film could be showing a beautiful landscape, or a fresh spring flower.

People stay in darkness for fear the light will expose them. But when they are introduced to the Light, they can become something wonderful. So why hide in a film canister, when you can become a resplendent work of art?

"Inconceivable!"

Review the past for me,
let us argue the matter together;
state the case for your innocence.
~Isaiah 43:26

My favorite movie is The Princess Bride. I can recite half the lines right along side the characters. I know the story front and back. One time, I even watched it four times in one week. That's how much I like this movie. One of my favorite scenes is when Fezzik and the Man in Black are fighting. The Man in Black is attempting to beat up Fezzik, however, Fezzik just stands there, letting the Man in Black 'punch' him. When questioned as to why he isn't fighting back, or even reacting, Fezzik answers "I just want you to feel like you are doing well!"

In Isaiah chapter 43, verse 26, God says "Let us argue the matter together". In the passage this verse is taken from, God is asking Israel why they seem to think they have no sin. We all know Israel must have had sin. God knew Israel had sin. But Israel still wanted to argue about it! So God says, Okay, lets sit down, I'll talk about it with you and we'll debate this out.

So how do Israel and the Man in Black relate? Neither of them had a chance. (Okay, so maybe the Man in Black did end up beating Fezzik at the end of the scene, but that's not what we're focusing on right now.) Fezzik knew there was no way the Man in Black could beat him in a fist fight, but he gave him a chance. Fezzik wanted him to feel like he had a shot. God, too, knew Israel didn't have a fighting chance, but He told them, you know, I'll let you have a try. I'll let you prove yourself wrong.

Sometimes I'm in an argumentative mood. I get to a spot where I just need to debate with someone. I need to get it all out. Maybe that's how Israel was feeling... For several years in a row. Anyway, Israel wanted to fight, so God replied "You want a fight? Okay, I'll give you a fight!"

I'm going to start calling them 'Israel days'. The days where I just need a fight. And, you know, Isaiah 43:26 made me realize God is always there for me to fight with. Maybe He will always end up being right, so what? It's yet another reminder that God is there for me. Even for the smallest, most petty things, He's there, ready for me 'fight' with.


One of my more recent pictures. I like this one. =]

Fade

In that day men will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to The Holy One of Israel. They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands, and they will have no regard for the Asherah poles and the incense altars their fingers have made.
~Isaiah 17:7-8

This passage of Isaiah is directed toward the Assyrians. To fully understand what this passage meant at that time, I need to tell you a little bit about Assyria. Assyria was located in Mesopotamia, around current day Iraq. Assyria had a polytheistic religion. The Assyrians built Asherah poles and altars as monuments to their main god, Ashur.

This passage would have been highly relevant in the 8th century B.C. (the time frame Isaiah is estimated to have been written). You might say Assyrians were obsessed with their Asherah poles and incense altars. They must have spent tons of time building these altars, perfecting their Asherah poles. I'm sure they were impressive and beautiful creations. It was significant when it was predicted that the Assyrians would give up their pagan monuments.

What I got out of this passage of Isaiah, is that no matter how awesome or majestic something is, it pales in comparison with the Lord. After truly seeing Him, we won't want anything else.

Think of the most amazing and impressive thing you've seen in a while. It may be a car, a new cell phone model, or even something like an animal, or new spring flower. However, no matter what it is, the Lord is so much better! I know, it sounds cheesy, but it's true. Once we turn to our Maker and see how wonderful He is, everything else will fade.

When you concentrate on the Lord, focus on His amazing awesomeness, and make His will your priority, everything else will be taken care of. Matthew 6:33 says "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

I've seen the Lord's goodness and everything else has begun to pale in comparison. I hope that in time, God's mercy and greatness will be the only thing I see.