03.08.06 thequest email UPdate

thequest family,

We've been talking about metaphors in the thequest INSTITUTE since January. The definition we have been working on for metaphors is:

"Metaphors are comparisons that show how two things that are not alike in most ways are similar in one important way. Metaphors are a way to describe something. Authors use them to make their writing more interesting or entertaining.

Unlike similes that use the words “as” or “like” to make a comparison, metaphors state that something is something else" *

It has been awesome to look at how Jesus IS the Good Shepherd or the Bread. These have been some really rich studies. You can check out the notes below and study them on your own.


Today as I was reading in "All About Jesus" I came across a word picture that stopped me in my tracks. This was not a metaphor, but a simile. A simile as we saw above is a "comparison." This comparison is one that you might be familiar with, but don't gloss over it.

"Why do you call me , 'Lord, Lord' and still don't do what I say? Some people come to me and listen to me and do what I say.

"So then, everyone who hears my words and puts them into practice is like a wise man. He builds his house on the rock. He digs down deep and sets it on solid rock. The rain comes down. The water rises. The winds blow and beat against that house. When a flood comes, the river rushes against the house. But it does not fall. It is built on the rock.

"But everyone who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man. He builds his house on sand. The rain comes down. The water rises. The moment the river rushes against the house, it falls down. It is completely destroyed."

I never connected this story to obedience before. This comparison is sometimes missed in the wisdom and foolishness aspect. Certainly God applauds obedience as a step towards wisdom.

But obedience to God. That's what this story is all about. It is saying the person who obeys is secure and the person who doesn't isn't. It is showing the immense value of obedience. And the hole that disobedience truly is.

Trust me I'm not heaping the law onto your back so you are riddled with guilt. I'm focused on the joy that it is to serve and obey someone who truly saved my life. What a privilege it is to be alive and to obey. It is worth it to obey as well...that's what this comparison shows--the much greater value of doing what God says...rather than what I want to do.

I'm a fellow struggler in this quest to know and obey Jesus...I'm just glad for this reminder that it's worth it to obey. I trust that you will smile and move towards doing what God wants you to do today!

Press on,

Mike


*This working definition is from the following worksheet: http://www.rhlschool.com/eng3n26.htm




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