Holes

"You earn wages, only to put them in bags with holes in it" (Haggai 1:6).If one were to compare one's life to a purse or a bag, it might be an apt metaphor. Sometimes it feels as if there are holes in the bag and our very life seems to seep through the seams. Our life, like a  poorly-constructed bag seems to be shoddily put together and doesn't seem capable of holding all the pain, suffering, affliction, and difficulty that it seems forced to carry. So heavy are the weights, like rocks, that it appears the very fabric of our lives will fray and fall apart. That the handles of the bag will be ripped from its seam.Of course, one bag looks dissimilar in appearance from another. In fact, one person may carry what appears only to be a small wallet or daintily-made evening pouch; while others seem to be loaded down with a carpet bag or even something akin to a Samsonite valise. But all in all, we all have baggage. But what really matters is not the size of the suitcase but would we put in it. 

How does one go about making a life that resembles something of value, of tenacity, of persistence, of resilience, of strength? That is the question. So we ask that God do what He promised. He said in Ecclesiastes 3:7 that there is a time to tear but that there is also a time to mend. We ask that He will come in and mend, sew, and repair the broken places. We ask Him to fill our purses with love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, patience, faithfulness, joy, and self-control by His Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). There are holes caused by all the wounding, brokenness, pain, and grief of life which cause our power to leak out. "Come now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool." (Isaiah 1:18). We know the truth that the things that are broken need to be healed: "He is the healer of the brokenhearted. He is the one who bandages their wounds" Psalm 147:3. The holes need to be repaired. Let God sew them together to hold the treasures of His joy and power. Then, we will have something worthwhile to share with others.

Fellow Carpetbagger,
Mella