The Other Side of Your World

PRESS ON!

"If you believe what He told you..." This was the email tagline for one of the previous Press On blogs from last month. "If you believe..." Do you believe? One of the most paradoxical personalities to me in the Bible is David. Everything I ever knew about David confirmed (if nothing else) his belief in God and his openness to receive all God had for him. But there was this one time... This one time, and it cost him plenty.

One day Saul said to David, “I am ready to give you my older daughter, Merab, as your wife. But first you must prove yourself to be a real warrior by fighting the Lord’s battles.” For Saul thought, “I’ll send him out against the Philistines and let them kill him rather than doing it myself.”

“Who am I, and what is my family in Israel that I should be the king’s son-in-law?” David exclaimed. “My father’s family is nothing!” So when the time came for Saul to give his daughter Merab in marriage to David, he gave her instead to Adriel, a man from Meholah. ~1 Samuel 18:17-19, New Living Translation

Who am I?

If it wasn't scripture, I would have a hard time believing these are the words of the shepherd turned king I have grown to know, love and admire.

David who killed lions and bears in the meadows,

slaughtered the giant Goliath on the battlefield,

accepted the robe of Prince Jonathan,

was appointed commander over Saul's armies,

and heard the songs of the women as he returned from battle victorious:

“Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!”

This David is saying, "Who am I?". My David never shied away from any of the blessings or honors bestowed upon him except this one time.

But why this? Why now?

It makes you wonder if, despite everything God was manifesting in his life, he truly believed the favor would include his personal relationships. Hesitating to accept Merab (God will increase) opened the doorway to chaos and dissention through his marriage to her younger sister, Michal. One of the definitions applied to the name Michal is a small stream of water or brook.

This future king went from a woman with the promise of increase to one with almost nothing to give.

I have to admit, my original intent was to use David's error as a lesson in false humility. But it goes deeper than that for him, and I believe for us, too.

What are we missing by not accepting the fullness of Heaven's favor? Do you believe how God will use you, yet struggle with how he desires to intimately bless you?

There's so many stories of love All with the wonders of love And so very sad I would be 'Cause none belonged to me

Could be it's all for the best So I finally let it rest Sad but I thought that maybe Love wasn't meant for me

~From Luther Vandross' "Other Side of the World"

(Leave it to Luther to bring it all into perspective.)

In reality, this moment is just the beginning of David's struggle to accept the favor of healthy, loving relationships. The king's difficulties in love and being loved thread the tapestry of his life, weaving internal chaos and insecurity amongst many external victories.

It is hard to imagine someone would believe what God told them about their lives but struggle to believe that the glory includes being fully and completely loved. But it happens all the time.

It has happened to me.

God will love us deep, but people?

This world is hard enough alone. Everyone deserves to have someone special in their life; one whose tears can cleanse, whose hugs mean something, and whose words work like medicine. We want someone who is willing to go the distance. We want an ally who, no matter how challenging it is to maintain the relationship, can still smile at the very thought of YOU. They are a rare find, but when you do find that one, nothing but time and space can give testimony to the power, love, and transparency between you. It is a bond... a bond that cannot be diminished and will not be denied.

~From my book intro, Something Close... Something Real... in GOD 'n You: Finding your Place in Forever

It's time to press through the insecurity and doubt. Accepting the fullness of God's favor means we also have to accept the possibilities of authentic love on earth as it is in heaven.

There was love There was love There was love On the other Side of the world

So much love So much love So much love On the other Side of the world

~Luther

Child of God, find the courage to press through the doubt and know that I am pressing through with you.

We all deserve something close, something real.