Chaff
I woke up extra early this morning (HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!) and walked my dog while my french press steeped my coffee grounds.
I was having a "God, help me to trust you and follow your leading in my life" chats with God. I knew my soul needed some encouragement, and as I let out a hearty exhale and turned a corner, I thought to myself, "Man, I would love to read some Psalms."
Well, sure enough, the reading through the Bible plan I am just starting had me scheduled for Psalms! God is good, in those little details. It's like He is helping me trust His Sovereignty in baby steps, which I totally appreciate!
Anyway, I was combing through the first and second chapters, and let me just say- you can read chapters 1 + 2 of Psalms a thousand times and feel the Holy Spirit convict you every time! I sat on the first verse for a while, and when I got to Psalm 1:4, I felt impressed to share with you all. So, here it is.
I am currently reading a book dissecting a Christian perspective on the Enneagram, and it resonates with a concept I have eluded to on my blog before. There are pieces of us, be it a character trait, habit, etc., that have good and bad sides. This trait, habit or even mindset can be leveraged beneficially or maliciously, and it is our responsibility to become aware of these things and steward The Gift well.
Let me give you a broad example, and then I will zoom in on my point.
There is a personality type that can be hard for me to get along with. When certain traits of this personality become overbearing- I lose my cool, to put it passively. I am sure you can relate on some level!
Well, I know that the issue lies on the problem that we don't see eye to eye- our opinions are strong in how something should be... and that "right way" is different for the two of us.
That adamant attitude, as I will call it because who wants to call themselves prideful ahem, can be a double edged sword.
On one end, it is currently causing me relational problems. We fight, we argue, we don't move forward. It dominoes into stress and conflict avoidance or blowing up angrily, and I could go on, but you get the idea. It's not pretty.
Now on the other hand, sticking to your guns can be great! Sometimes, that is exactly what is needed. That is where change and progress can occur- and how you can hang on to goals and ideas to push through to your oh-so-sweet victory.
So you see, it's wheat. It is chaff, but also good grain.
That little footnote reminded me that chaff must be removed. And that removal is a process. It's probably not a surprise to you as you read this, but I have certainly been stubborn in letting God remove my chaff in this part of me. I have been fighting it, but can I confess something else? It has left me feeling angry, and scattered. Deep down in my heart, I want reconciliation with this person and with God because I know that anger and harsh words are hurting me, God and the other person! But I have been stuck. I have been feeling directionless in how to move forward.
Holy Spirit, thank you for speaking to me this morning. Thank you for reminding me that God watches over the path of the godly, of those who love You. Remove my pieces of chaff. Separate them from the good grain, and let the good grain you've placed inside me fall on good earth where that good grain can multiply in my life. Give me humility to lay my... yes, my pride down, to bring you glory and to yield your fruit of the spirit, Peace, in my life and in this relationship. Thank you Lord. Amen.
Thank you all for reading!
Love and prayers to you all,
Melly xoxo
I was having a "God, help me to trust you and follow your leading in my life" chats with God. I knew my soul needed some encouragement, and as I let out a hearty exhale and turned a corner, I thought to myself, "Man, I would love to read some Psalms."
Well, sure enough, the reading through the Bible plan I am just starting had me scheduled for Psalms! God is good, in those little details. It's like He is helping me trust His Sovereignty in baby steps, which I totally appreciate!
Anyway, I was combing through the first and second chapters, and let me just say- you can read chapters 1 + 2 of Psalms a thousand times and feel the Holy Spirit convict you every time! I sat on the first verse for a while, and when I got to Psalm 1:4, I felt impressed to share with you all. So, here it is.
"But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgement. Sinners have no place among the godly. For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction." Psalm 1:4-6 NLTMy footnote reads,
"Chaff is the outer shell (or husk) that must be removed to get at the valuable kernels of grain inside. Chaff was removed by a process called threshing and winnowing. After the plants were cut they were crushed, and when then the pieces were thrown into the air. Chaff is very light and carried away even by the slightest wind, while the good grain falls back to the earth. Chaff is a symbol of a faithless life that drifts along without direction. Good grain is a symbol of a faithful life that can be used by God...."Chaff. For the longest time, I didn't even know what that was. Or, how to pronounce it! (English is a funny language, phonetically, but I digress.) As I read these verses and meditated on it, it made me think that I have both chaff and good grain in my life.
I am currently reading a book dissecting a Christian perspective on the Enneagram, and it resonates with a concept I have eluded to on my blog before. There are pieces of us, be it a character trait, habit, etc., that have good and bad sides. This trait, habit or even mindset can be leveraged beneficially or maliciously, and it is our responsibility to become aware of these things and steward The Gift well.
Let me give you a broad example, and then I will zoom in on my point.
There is a personality type that can be hard for me to get along with. When certain traits of this personality become overbearing- I lose my cool, to put it passively. I am sure you can relate on some level!
Well, I know that the issue lies on the problem that we don't see eye to eye- our opinions are strong in how something should be... and that "right way" is different for the two of us.
That adamant attitude, as I will call it because who wants to call themselves prideful ahem, can be a double edged sword.
On one end, it is currently causing me relational problems. We fight, we argue, we don't move forward. It dominoes into stress and conflict avoidance or blowing up angrily, and I could go on, but you get the idea. It's not pretty.
Now on the other hand, sticking to your guns can be great! Sometimes, that is exactly what is needed. That is where change and progress can occur- and how you can hang on to goals and ideas to push through to your oh-so-sweet victory.
So you see, it's wheat. It is chaff, but also good grain.
That little footnote reminded me that chaff must be removed. And that removal is a process. It's probably not a surprise to you as you read this, but I have certainly been stubborn in letting God remove my chaff in this part of me. I have been fighting it, but can I confess something else? It has left me feeling angry, and scattered. Deep down in my heart, I want reconciliation with this person and with God because I know that anger and harsh words are hurting me, God and the other person! But I have been stuck. I have been feeling directionless in how to move forward.
Holy Spirit, thank you for speaking to me this morning. Thank you for reminding me that God watches over the path of the godly, of those who love You. Remove my pieces of chaff. Separate them from the good grain, and let the good grain you've placed inside me fall on good earth where that good grain can multiply in my life. Give me humility to lay my... yes, my pride down, to bring you glory and to yield your fruit of the spirit, Peace, in my life and in this relationship. Thank you Lord. Amen.
Thank you all for reading!
Love and prayers to you all,
Melly xoxo
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