Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Can I just get a little honor here?

I have been thinking a lot about honor lately. As I studied for my last Bible study where I taught about living at your best, I came across verses about God being our Shield. As I dug a little deeper I discovered that God shields our honor, protecting it from outside forces that want to snatch it from us. He showers us with honor and blesses us with favor. As I think about my life as a young child, the daughter of an alcoholic father, I remember seeking refuge in my bedroom. It was there I felt safe and secure from the verbal tongue lashings of my father. I would work so hard to seek his approval and praise, wanting his honor instead of his wrath, only to find myself once again sinking in shame. My honor, stolen. I was ashamed of my life and wanted to experience a "normal" family where peace, harmony and honor reigned. Now, I know that "normal" doesn't exist, this side of heaven, anyway. As I grew up I kept seeking to find approval, acceptance, and honor from my friends, especially with boys. This only led to more shame and less honor. Then, after being laid off from my college job and being dropped by my boyfriend all in the same week, I cried out to God, whom I knew only as my Savior, and on that day He became my Lord and my Refuge from the storm of life. I fell madly in love with the Lord Jesus and discovered what it meant to be lavishly loved and honored by the One who created love and honor. Now, I flee to my Refuge and Shield each morning and like a warm fuzzy blanket He wraps me in His love and speaks words of honor, truth, and power over me. He lifts my head and enables me to walk with confidence. I am tempted on occasion to seek the praise of people and the approval of others. Hey I am human, I want others to like me and think highly of me! But, I no longer base my honor on what others think or say, instead I am learning to grip tightly the truth that God is my sun and shield, no good thing does He withhold from those who are His. I am His daughter - highly favored and honored. Do you want to experience honor, true honor? Flee to your Refuge, seek to honor the One who honors you- even when you don't! Think about it. Psalm 18:28-35