Jehovah-shammah: The Lord is there (Part 2)
- Series: Names of God
- by: Rebekah Crosby 06/02/08
Job's answer to Zophar: "You really know everything, don't you? And when you die, wisdom will die with you! Well, I know a few things myself-and you're no better than I am. Who doesn't know these things you've been saying?. . . But true wisdom and power are with God; counsel and understanding are his." Job 12:2-3, 13 (NLT)
I love weddings. People are smiling, hopes are high, there's a lot of reuniting with old friends going on . . . weddings are simply divine. However, the toasting part is my least favorite. The reason is that I usually DON'T do public speaking unless forced or obligated. The idea alone makes my hands clammy. When the toasting portion of the reception comes, I immediately start thinking of having to talk in front of everyone. Whether I am required to is beside the point. When I was in college my professor could say the word presentation and I would immediately get nauseous. Just in case you missed it, I am not a fan of public speaking.
This last rehearsal dinner was different, though. I was finally able to enjoy the toasting portion for the first time because I finally did not feel pressure to talk. I felt my stomach prepare for the usual queasiness as the glass was clinked and I urged it to calm down. This seemed to work. So while I had a conversation with my stomach, people were getting up and talking. I knew the bride would love me regardless of whether I proclaimed my love for her as my friend with extreme discomfort in a room full of strangers, so I simply got to listen--free of sweat.
I have gotten myself into many uncomfortable situations in the past purely because I had a hard time saying no. My personal boundaries were a little fuzzy. I was so anxious to please other people that I forgot the necessity of being intuitive about myself. This proved to be a very difficult trait to bear and was the cause of much anxiety. The indecision that stemmed from always fretting about others seeped into every part of my life, not only in my relationships. I would stand for 30 minutes in front of the shampoos at Wal-Mart and agonize over which one to buy. To avoid being exclusive, I was not a committed customer of any particular shampoo--I had to try them all. I could not make decisions to save my life.
Recently someone told me that she liked my decisiveness. The Lord and I exchanged smiles because we both know how hard I have worked to get here.
I'm not sure why it took me so long to become assured of who I was. I couldn't tell you the gradual preparation in which this quality of definite boundaries arrived, but one day it appeared on my doorstep. We stood and awkwardly stared at one another awhile before I allowed it entrance. It was possibly one of the most significant arrivals of my life.
Upon the arrival of decisiveness came also the realization that God is ultimately the only One to whom I must answer. This accountability with the Father, Jehovah-shammah, has released me from an incredible amount of unnecessary angst. The focus on God as my authority has not only given me a focused path, but it has also provided wisdom for weeding out unneeded advice and conflicting expectations.
There will always be people in your life who will drop unwanted suggestions into your lap. And then there will be those through whom God is speaking. If you go straight to God with others' counsel, you will avoid being befuddled and unnecessarily anxious when making decisions for yourself. At the end of the day, at the end of your life, there is only One whose opinion and advice matters.
Perhaps you are in a situation where you are like Job . . . the recipient of bad advice. Maybe you are trying to decide where to send your child to daycare. Maybe you are deliberating over the decision of where to move. Maybe you are trying to decide upon a career. Or maybe you have simply made a decision with which others do not agree. Whatever the dilemma, the Lord is there. Look up at the stars and see His handiwork. Take a deep breath and delight in His presence. It's He you must worship. It's He you must follow. It's He you must please. You will not stand before Him when you die with a multitude of companions who imparted their opinions to you . . . you will be alone. In His presence.
In the song "Only You," David Crowder sings,
And It's just you and me here now
Only you and me here now
You should see the view
When it's only You
We love You, Lord. Forgive us for failing You. We are deeply grateful that You are our Jehovah-shammah. We will not ever possibly be able to express to You our gratitude for Your presence. Lord, give us the wisdom to rely upon You alone for the ultimate say in our lives. Help us to know when to listen to others and when to withdraw. Give us courage enough to follow You, regardless of what others may say. Be our strength when we are pulled in different directions. Give us the freedom we need to be a slave to You.