Life on Mission - SHARE

Psalm 49:1-3, 7

Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in the world, both low and high, rich and poor alike: My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding…No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him—the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough—that he should live on forever and not see decay.

I can't really remember the day someone shared Jesus with me. I know that I heard about Him in religion classes at the Catholic School I attended.  I knew all the interesting stories that children's picture Bibles illustrated. But, I was well into adulthood before it started to mean something to me. And even then, it was a slow process. 

Perhaps it is that way with most of us.  The happenings of life begin to shape us, they instill an attitude of rebellion or repentance. Usually rebellion happens before repentance - at least in my case it worked that way. 

The way I encountered Jesus tells me that perhaps I am not alone. I mentioned that it was a slow process. I had to experience pain and tragedy before I thought that maybe there was something to the concept of pursuing a personal relationship with Jesus.  It was for certain the relationships I formed to that point weren't helping me find peace or hope.

Psalm 49:15

But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself.

I cannot point to the specific day or date when it all began to make sense, but I do know it all began because someone cared enough to challenge my stubborn way of thinking. This person, a woman I did not even like to be around, invited me to church and kept after me until I went. That was all she had to do. The Holy Spirit took over and the rest is history.

God redeemed my life from the grave, all because one woman had the courage to SHARE, then she moved into the background of my life and allowed the Holy Spirit to take over.

Prayer is Laughing - At Foolishness

Psalm 49:16-20 (NIV)
Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. Though while he lived he counted himself blessed-- and men praise you when you prosper--he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light [of life].  A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish. 

Are you impressed with wealth or fame?  Does the fact someone has material things draw you to them?  Do you envy their position and yearn to be like them?  It does seem in this day that many are 'star-struck', thinking celebrities have it all together.  Our politicians even seem to long to rub elbows with those who have an abundance of earthly riches.

These five verses tell us that "you can't take it with you," something we have known for long.  But, we still want to have more.  The command," Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases" is worth contemplating.  Many of us have known some who, in our opinion, have it all. But we also recognize that many times they are not happy.  This points us to the last verse, A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish. 

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence if we don't truly know what we have on our own side.  Sitting at my desk which overlooks my front yard, I see a bright green lawn.  From where I sit it looks admirable; lots of color, very full.  But upon closer scrutiny, when I get up from my chair and walk outside to examine the greenery I see it is loaded with lots of colorful and healthy weeds!

The lesson is not to be impressed with someone's social standing until you know where they stand. There is only one with whom we need be impressed and that is Jesus. Walking in His ways is best.


Psalm 49, 50 and 51