Counterflow

1 Samuel 23:13

“May the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds’, so my hand will not touch you.’

When Charice performed during NBC’s ‘Christmas in Rockefeller’ last November, I was one of the many Filipinos who took pride in her. Her rendition of ‘A Grown Up Christmas List’ was not just superb, it was sincere-felt. Drawn by her singing and the beautiful melodic lines, I had it looped while doing my day’s work. At one point I had to give in and check the lyrics, (I usually don’t to keep it sounding fresh), and found it more commendable.  Hear the chorus part: ‘No more lives torn apart. That wars will never start. And time will heal our hearts. And every man will have a friend. The right will always win. And love will never end...’  It was a wish intended for Santa. But since he’s not existing thus unable to grant us answers, I gave it to the One whose heart beats peace. His name is Jehovah Shalom.

Peace according to Wikipedia describes a society or a relationship that is operating harmoniously and without violent conflict. It is the perfect atmosphere in Eden but man broke it for a piece of fruit. King Saul was blessed with a mighty warrior, able to bring back peace in the land, but he scared his best asset off for one jealous eye. The same reason why Cain killed his righteous brother. Why should good be disregarded for evil? What’s wrong with us people? Evil for evil was more understandable, not moral of course. It was David’s men suggestion in this chapter. Saul was alone and helpless in that cave with them and it was an easy death blow for him. They even felt it was a God-given opportunity. Serve him right, we say. That’s why we pay mediocrity when were undercompensated. That’s why we play cold to our uncaring parents. That’s why we pray death to those bugging our lives. But David chose otherwise. Reflecting the righteousness of Christ, he made that counterflow. He overcame evil with good by loving this enemy, by calling him his master. It was definitely not because of Saul, but all because of God. ‘He is the Lord’s anointed’, David said.

Our fight for world peace is far out of reach because all we’re running after is personal convenience, never God-compliance. Like the Pharisees, we tie up heavy loads on our enemies’ shoulders, praying lifechange and all, but we’re not willing to lift a finger to move the burden ourselves. Instead of initiating a handshake, we demand for proofs for them to earn our arm’s length friendship. How civil! When our relationship with God was marred because of OUR sins, He did not wait for us to come back on our knees, begging His repentance. He came to us first. He sought them in the Garden, He died on the cross. Our salvation was God-initiated. The Offended Himself provided peace to us offenders. Peace flows from Him for He is Peace. From evildoers we can expect evil deeds. What comes out of you implies who is inside you. Give that seat to God. He alone can overcome evil with good.  Far better than a counterflow, God makes new roads.  

Bad Hair Day?

1 Samuel 16: 23

“Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.”

My hair is naturally thick and wavy. It is unmanageable, unruly, and uhm, ugly? haha :> My husband’s vow to make me ‘more beautiful each day’ costs him P1.5K yearly for my rebonding. He says it’s worth his every cent compared to seeing (and hearing) me daily endure hours in blowdry. I couldn’t agree more. Added plus is the confidence to ramp anywhere (haha!), and talk to anyone without a speck of paranoia. But my Rapunzel story will always be tangled. The fairy’s wand works only with the hair, never the roots. In four or five months, the curls would start to show, and in eight, it’s again the full-grown, wind-wildly-blown old me. I’m on my sixth and yes, I’m home most of the time :>

Relief is partial removal of any discomfort. It aims to lessen, reduce, to momentarily pause, but never to completely treat or cure. Music has a way of doing that to the soul. It soothes the stressed, it calms our cries, it hides us awhile. Saul’s attendants thought it would do well for him to hear some harp music whenever he’s harassed by an evil spirit. And it did work. David’s skillful playing amazingly kicked out the tormentor… for a time. For it did come back in chapter 19.  The evil spirit’s foothold on Saul was because God’s Spirit left him.  No music can play alternate to the freedom forgiveness offers. Up until this time there was no remorse on Saul’s end. It may not revert his career path now, but restored relationship with God is his only key to a life of peace. There’s no other way.

How do we deal with our bad hair days? Should we continue fooling ourselves that giving in to our cravings could really heal our broken hearts? Will a full day of social networking able to fill in the void of being alone and empty? We may drink to our pains now but hangover will worsen it the next day. No amount of hair spells can rule out my insecurity. It is only by embracing the truth that I am God’s treasured masterpiece will I be able to live beautifully, and with grace. When we’re hurt, God’s offer is not some pain reliever or band-aids. He knows every root issue and He is the remedy. He is the only way.