Isolation...

Algebra: An exercise to tax the limits of the brain.

Integers have been spinning around my head of late. I struggle to see the necessity of mastering this skill, but I’m trusting that those older than me know why I must submit to this twisting of brain cells. I’ll admit, I do enjoy it sometimes. So far one of my favorite things to do is solving formulas for a variable. It’s like a puzzle. You have to move things around and get rid of things until you have isolated the variable and its value is shown on the other side of the equals sign. Take this equation for example: 1/5(10-15x)+5=3

In order to find the value of x we have to isolate it. To do that we have to strip it of all that surrounds it and is attached to it.

The other day I heard someone refer to our relationship to God in mathematical terms - God being the constant; us being the variable. Somewhere between peaceful sound sleep and sub-consciousness my mind (as it often does lately) started thinking about math. But this time into the equation swirled God. Suddenly it hit me. I am the variable. God is the number on the other side. Throughout my life there have been things, even good things, that have inexplicably been taken away from me. Recently it seems to be intensifying. I have felt...isolated. Is this what I need in order to finally find my value in Him? Stripped of all that surrounds me, pulls me, and that I desire? Even that which is in and of itself good? Must I be isolated?


But the beautiful part of the equation is that whatever is done to the x is also done to the number on the other side. "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are,...[And since] He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted." (Heb 4:15; 2:18 NKJV) Every time something has to be given up, stripped away, purged, He knows how it feels because it was done to Him as well. And at the end I will find my value in Him alone.


Do you know what the meaning of Algebra is? No, it is not the above meaning. :) It is derived from an Arabic word al-jabr which means...restoration.


Oh God, do al-jabr in my life. Even if it means isolation!

Bill and Danny...

Yesterday was an amazing day. Today promises to be the same. When you get a glimpse of God's hand guiding your life it is an amazing experience. Yesterday was completely orchestrated by God. Everything happened so precisely that the end result could not be mistaken as a chance occurrence.

Through a series of events I found myself waiting in the hall way of my community college for my mother to pick me up. Class had let out early, so she was not there yet. As I waited in the hall way one of my math classmates, Danny, came in the front doors. We greeted each other, and he asked how math was going. I said it was ok, but that I still need to finish my homework quiz. So he sat down and started helping me with it. Just then his friend, Bill, came in and, seeing us working on math, came over. They both helped me finish my paper, I thanked them, and we got up to go our separate ways. We chatted a little about math and how we struggle to understand it at times. I mentioned my gratefulness for the promise in James where God promises wisdom to those who ask. Danny kind of rolled his eyes. Bill said that he only knew two Bible verses. I expected him of course to quote John 3:16. Instead I was shocked to hear him quote Revelation 13:18, "Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666." 


What followed was an hour discussion unlike I have ever had before. I drew several times on my canvassing lessons. When we parted they asked if we could continue the discussion the next day (today). Danny said he is Agnostic. Bill said, "What I believe is so confusing I don't know what I believe." They are searching whether they now it for not. And God is wanting to be found of them. Their view of life is more than I can explain. It is really hard to talk to someone who doesn't know what they believe, and who believe that what you believe is fine for you but not fine for everyone.

In short, I find my self with five loaves and two fish to feed a multitude. I'm sure glad I know Jesus! If you would pray for Bill and Danny when God brings them to your mind I would be most grateful. I covet your prayers as well. 


The link below is an interesting video trailer I watched a while back. Following last nights conversation I have ordered it. :)


001 [Re]:ally