The Wisdom in Gatekeeping

Heyyyy Beautiful People! What's goodie? Hope it's been nothing but well. Even in the midst of the current storm taking place in the Earth. Me, I'm doing alright. Could be a little warmer that's for sure but I'm grateful it's not like last year 🙌🏿.

I was sitting here listening to my father speak and he just laid something so simple down to me. He gathered a lesson he highlighted to me from the prior week and merged it with the parable of the 10 virgins (Matt 25:1-13).

See Wisdom in Proverbs 1:28 stopped “helping”. She stopped trying to warn the people to change their ways and left them to their own demise. She even went as far to tell them “they would look for her, but wouldn't be able to find her.” Because they refused to learn. She chose to “gatekeep” her knowledge.

Interesting enough when we look at the 10 virgins. There were 5 foolish and 5 wise virgins. The foolish virgins didn't have enough oil and they ran out of it before the bridegroom came. They went to seek “help” from the 5 wise virgins and were turned away to go fetch their own oil. See, the 5 wise virgins knew that they ONLY had enough oil for themselves. They knew they had to “gatekeep” their access to be with the bridegroom.

Society has tricked many into believing pouring out everything is the way to go. There are sooooo many people who scream “No gatekeeping” while those who are vampires are doing nothing but feeding from the data they freely give. Yet, even Wisdom and the wise virgins knew their was a limit to giving. A limit to help. Much like their is a limit to God's grace.

In Proverbs 1, we see Wisdom wanting to help the people more than they were willing to be helped. In Matthews 25, we see the wise virgins offer none because they had to ensure they didn't miss their door. They understood how precious their oil was and they only had enough for themselves.

Sometimes you could desire to help but know that it's best that the foolish have to learn lessons a little differently. Doesn't mean you don't love them. Simply means that in order for the lesson to stick they must endure the consequences of ignoring wisdom. Had the foolish virgins carried more than enough oil…they wouldn't have ran out.

It's detrimental to have to move out of place when the groom is at the door. Check your inventory and make sure you have enough oil for entry. Sometimes helping too much can cost you access. Be STILL and know; that God is in control.

Y'all be easy. Make sure you keep enough oil for yourself.

Love ya. Later.

Shya

The Grace isn’t Unlimited!

Hello, Bonjour, Que Pasa! How are you all today? I pray all is well with you.

Today I wanted to talk about The Grace Isn’t Unlimited!

Many of us have grown up in homes, churches and vast communities where we have established connections and loving relationships. Some of us have grown up in not so loving relationships. Yet, we have found the strength to heal and continue to move forward. For those of us who have endured different things in life I’m sure we can attest to the fact that “Grace isn’t always unlimited.”

When we look at the word of God in Psalms 78 we see where God was dealing with the Israelites thirsting in the wilderness. God provided for them numerous times. Numerous times. Yet, the Israelites continued in their complaints and their request for more from God with a lack of thanks. Have any of you ever been giving and giving and giving and no one ever took a moment to simply say “thank you” for the work or services you have provided for them? I’m not sure if many people understand the complex simplicity that “thank you” provides. Thank you is one of the most simple and profound things you can say to someone.

Thank you gives. It gives in ways that will uplift and encourage the giver to give more because they feel appreciated. God wants us to appreciate his love for us. Some of us take for granted the love that God provides. I believe this is the case because we get comfortable in his works for us. Much like the Israelites did in the Bible. (Psalms 78:42) They had become so expectant of God being God in their lives that they didn’t even acknowledge that he was doing miraculous deeds to ensure they were fed. They didn’t even acknowledge that God was feeding them heavenly food.

Could you imagine being fed bread from heaven and believing that you are just naturally deserving of such a meal? (Psalms 78:24) As if you created the heavens and the earth in 7 days yourself. Eventually, people get tired. Just as God himself gets tired. We see in the Bible where God had given to the point where he was fed up. He then turns and smites the Israelites right when they were about to feast on the manna he had provided. (Psalms 78:31)

The grace God allots us is not unlimited. We as believers believe that all we have to do is “repent”. Let some of your celebrity Pastors tell it. However, true repentance is turning away from your sins. Meaning leaving them in the past. Turning away from them. Allowing God to establish you as a new creature in him. When we get comfortable in walking in our sins we are playing with fire. God’s consuming fire! Whether we take his warnings seriously or not….do we really want the smoke that God gives?! Don’t take God’s grace for granted. One day you won’t have time to repent and get your life in order. Start today!

God’s grace is not unlimited!