What Are You ?
Yesterday, an object lesson transformed into a short conversation that resulted in a life-lesson that we can all benefit from…if we will hear with our hearts and make the conscious effort to apply it. Here’s how it went : I was about to fill a couple of propane cylinders for a guy when my brother in Christ came out to handle it. As i was already in the process of examining the cylinder, i commented that one of em still had gas in it…that it was “half full” … which he replied, “ Is it half full or half empty ?” I gave him a blank look, as if he’d presented a “trick question” or was just tryin t’ be witty or aggravating or something in-between. He proceeded to ask again and say, “ You know the difference; right ? One presents an optimistic view, the other, a pessimistic view. Ok…Ok…yeah, we’ve heard that one before…” the optimist says the glass is half full, the pessimist says it’s half empty”. He took it a step further … he said, “ I’m neither , I’m a psalmist”… Again, i gave him a blank stare and waited on the punchline. He’s grinnin like a coyote eatin yellow jackets and says…” The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…” . This is why i like workin with this crazyman…he uses his God-given words to touch the hearts of any and all that are willing to receive God’s little “crumbs”, “morsels” or “snacks”. A “psalmist” … i’ll haveta remember that one. And if you’re wondering where he got it, just revisit Psalm 23. It may’ve been a “psalm of David” long ago, but it’s still claimed by many today. “The Lord is my shepherd, i’ll be satisfied with that and find my contentment in Him. He provides me peace in his creation and constantly restores my soul. He guides me in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake. And even though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, i won’t fear it or the evil it’s made up of, for He is my God and my Guard ! He prepares a place at His table for me…enemies or not. He treats me as an anointed child of the King and provides me everything good…even to the point of overflowing . Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life…and i will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Being a “psalmist” ain’t just reciting Scripture…it’s living out a relationship with Jesus Christ and progressively maturing in holiness…because He’s “real” to you and anything good coming from you will come because of Him. A “psalmist” knows what that “other side” feels like … because they’ve BEEN THERE ! A life in Christ causes CHANGE … and that change benefits not only the psalmist, but also those within that psalmist’s influence. What about you ? Are you a pessimist, an optimist, or a psalmist?