Six months ago I devoured John Steinbeck’s mythic tale, East of Eden. Steinbeck creates fantastic and believable characters in a larger than life sort of way. He even gives one of his characters a horse named Doxology. Doxology is only the most amazing name for a horse ever. I really must buy a horse just to name it Doxology. Anyway, some of you may remember Liza Hamilton. If not, allow me to introduce you to her. Liza is a small, strict woman with a rigid set of moral standards. Life is black and white for Liza Hamilton. On one occasion, in the book, Liza’s husband Samuel stays out all night hanging out with some neighbors. Now, Samuel was not out doing anything scandalous but was just out later than Liza deemed appropriate. The next morning Liza disapprovingly chides Samuel, saying, “Maybe you can find it healthy to rove all night, but the Lord God will do what He sees fit about that.” Now I am not interested in discussing whether or not the fictional Liza was justified in her conviction. What I am most interested in discussing is the narrator’s comment immediately after her rebuke:
“It was well known that Liza Hamilton and the Lord God held similar convictions on nearly every subject.” (Penguin Books, East of Eden, 178)
The narrator’s quip is both amusing and illuminating, don’t you think?
I have all too often discovered myself assuming that God thinks similarly to me on a variety of subjects. If I am in a fight with Colin, I might say something like, “Well, why don’t you pray about that?” Hmmm, I’m pretty sure that what I really mean is, “I’m going to give you a couple of minutes to testify that you fully agree with me that God is on my side in this argument and not yours.”
Sometimes we get so overconfident in our understanding and knowledge of God that we simply assume all of our opinions are synonymous with His heart. We seem to think that if only we knew Scripture word for word then all of our thoughts and opinions would be in continuity with God’s own. There are so many problems with this assumption, not least of which is the sin in our hearts that causes us to, at times, misunderstand or misappropriate the Scripture that we have so impeccably memorized. Now, this is not about disparaging knowing the Bible or memorizing Scripture. This is about resisting the assumption that if we know the Bible well we can co-judge with God.
The other day as I was scrolling down my twitter feed I read a tweet by one of our siestas, Fran Thomas. She typed the following:
“Just because you have the gift of discernment doesn’t make you right all the time.” And then she wrote in parentheses: “talking to myself.”
Her tweet was a gorgeous reminder and it took me back to the Liza Hamilton in myself. Thanks for that word, Fran, if you are out here in these interwebs today.
The LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. Deuteronomy 10:17
Melissa,
I tried to read East of Eden. I got to the point where I could not pick up the book because of my dread concerning the character ‘Cathy’. I would describe her as evil incarnate. Don’t know if others felt the same way but I never finished the book. Thanks for a positive point from the book!
Phyllis
Melissa, you do a great job of pulling events in life together. Thanks for the great post. The movie with James Dean is good…never read the book, although I did get a copy when Oprah had it as a book selection.
I am wondering if you are one of those people (I am) that underlines in every book you read. I am compulsive about it. I have to quit reading sometimes to go find a pen. Then, when I need to go back to find the quote I can usually locate it. I am also wondering….do prefer electronic or paper books?
I have often said, “Of course I think my opinion is right – if I didn’t, I’d choose another opinion!”
Still, this post helped me remember that while I THINK I know best, my thoughts are no where near God’s thoughts…and perhaps I need to have “another think coming.” (I, too, am guilty of saying “pray about it” when I’m sure I’m right and God just needs to ‘Gibbs-slap’ them in the head so they’ll see it too.)
Donna
anotherbattlewon.blogspot.com
Donna,
I can so relate….thanks for sharing.
I liked your comment about your opinion. I also,at times, “gibbs-slap” my own head when I try to be someone’s Holy Spirit.
As I set here reading this post Saturday morning, right after I got some devastating news from my daughter. I caught myself saying well “she needs to do this my way” … MY right way! And what’s even worse is I have not even brought it before the Lord yet! How shameful of me! Thanks for this message. I really need to take this message to heart.
Love all you at LMP. You help keep me in line just when I need it the most. How so like God!
Great start to my day. Mellisa you have given us something to chew on.It is too easy to use the “God is on my side” card when we feel morally superior or flatout want to manipulate. In an arguement I remind myself to “Connect to Resolve” not “confront to Control”
Great insight and a tactful way of saying we have a God-almighty attitude! Love Fran’s discernment take on it too. We who teach are especially vulnerable. Now where’s the box of bandages… I’m bleeding!
This is the place of my heart right now. About ten years ago I walked with the Lord through a deep transitional time within myself, not my circumstances but deep in me. It moved me to a new revelation of him.
Now he is asking me to do this again. To walk into a higher revelation of himself once more through my circumstances. I was game ten years ago, even excited, but find I am weary this time and unwilling. On my best moments I know the weariness comes from the fact that I WANT TO BE RIGHT ABOUT GOD in this situation. I do not want the outcome I fear we are heading toward and so it is much easier to make proclamations about what God believes and states as true than it is to walk with him to a new place (literally) and in the process a new understanding of himself.
My mom tells me, when I say that his word is absolute, yes it is Cinthia, but let God show you what that absolute looks like instead of you trying to show everyone else.
Wow, your mom is so wise…I love that ~ “let God show you what that absolute looks like instead of you trying to show everyone else” Thanks for sharing that tidbit!
Precious Jesus, please be with Cinthia right this very moment. Help her to find the strength that is You and to keep her eyes upward.
Cinthia, I find your statement: ” I do not want the outcome I fear we are heading toward and so it is much easier to make proclamations about what God believes and states as true than it is to walk with him to a new place (literally) and in the process a new understanding of himself.” often true for myself. It is so hard to walk a road that I think I may know the outcome and it looks scary. Hold fast on to the One who loves you and know that He is there every step of the way.
Cinthia, thanks for sharing this with us. I understand your weariness (that does nail it) and trepidation in facing another trial. I wonder if some of your reluctance comes from fear that your faith will be challenged. I think we often create dangers that we don’t have to face. I’ve heard so many people say, “I almost lost my faith over that.” But, if we examine our hearts and know that our faith is in the One True God Whom we know through His Holy Son, the Christ, then nothing that happens can shake our faith. We may indeed learn we were wrong about some point of doctrine; we may discover feet of clay in some human we revere; we may be betrayed by another Christian. These events can break our hearts or shame us, perhaps, but our faith is in God, and He will never fail us.
I hope this hasn’t sounded preachy; that is so far from my intent. My hope is to encourage you in facing your testing. Your bedrock is God.
love your wise mom!!!!!
East of Eden is one of my favorite books of all time. Great post here! I love that quote!
Your post reminded me of a quote I heard once, “Jesus didn’t come to make bad men good (or always right), He came to make dead men alive.” Melissa, you are such a deep thinker – I love it!!! I’m going to get Steinbeck’s book on my Kindle. I’m not into fiction. I’m working on my Doctorate in Biblical Theology and really don’t have time for fiction, but I’m going to give this book a try. Might be good reading for those nites when your brain is totally drained from studying and the days activities (work, kids, house, husband, etc.), and want to read something not too intense and you don’t ‘have’ to remember it for an exam the next day.
Be Blessed,
Charlotte
Melissa, I love it when you have time to share a blog with us. I am an older Siesta and it is inspiring to be “convicted” from a younger ones words. God Bless You. Kathy, An Aunt Siesta
Kathy, I am also an older Siesta and I totally agree with you…thanks for your comment.
What a great post, Melissa. I’m all revved up, and I’m not sure if it’s more about wanting a horse or being eager to get to the library and find that book. I’d love to point out several people I know who would fit right into Liza’s shoes (rolling eyes and raising brows)–but you’d have to get them off of me first!
Guess it’s a good reminder to us all, that ‘being right’ isn’t a fruit of the Spirit, or a gift, a service or even a good choice–as Jesus so kindly pointed out to Martha.
Thanks. 🙂
LOve the reminder about Martha. So true!
Thanks!
What a refreshingly honest and insightful post! A hearty AMEN!
Great message although I do believe we are iving in a time when some think that demonic practices that have their way into the Church are okay. Frankly I have had firetful week in taking a stand against something I am watching Christians participate in. They fly back at me with the word opinion.
There are some belifes that there is really now darkness in the world and we can pick and choose what is acceptable to God. There does not have to be disearnment where God has clearly drawn lines. What even looks like the worship of other Gods, is in fact an invitation to monumental dangerous darkness.
Before I came to Christ, I went through a battle that no living creature should have to see. In God’s grace and mercy He pulled me out of it, but I know now it was because I invited demonic powers to come in and I will take a stand where something this dangerous in coming at me.
When someone calls it Christianity that does not mean it is of the Lord. Be on gaurd Church, call what is, is. Only our God is the great I AM and He has a right to be jealous. Only is Mercy Seat is where we can practice the worship our soul longs for.
I am deliriously happy that He paid the price and took away my shame, I will serve none other.
In the Beloved,
~A~
Anastasia, I very much agree with your comment that just because ‘someone’ calls it “Christian” doesn’t actually mean it is God’s will. All too often we become so desperate to be close to Him and unintentionally fall into something far from His desires.
Wow, good timing on this post for me! Seriously, I should tattoo Fran’s quote to my palm for an easily accessible constant reminder.
It’s time I read a book…..maybe I’ll try this one. There is a Liza in me for sure!
Thanks Melissa. Loved East of Eden. Read it in college and then again two years ago. Reading it with a more mature faith gives it so much more depth. It is a rich work.
Your thoughts on Liza, hmmm bless her heart. I think if we are not immersed in multiple spiritual disciplines (study, worship, prayer, serving, etc.) we run great risk of creating Christ in our own image.
Scot McKnight in The Blue Parakeet actually administers a test to his freshmen every semester one week its fifty questions on what the kids think, value, care about. Next week same questions only they have to answer what they think Jesus thinks, values, cares about. Results? Jesus and the freshmen at North Park University are of the same mind. Bless their hearts.
God’s voice, values, perspective is different than mine–I need the gift of humility to start there in reaching for faithful responses and perspective.
So glad you pointed others to Steinbeck’s brilliant work–it’s a challenge and can be disturbing but in a healthy way.
Well, well, Melissa. Got me.
Thanks so much for just flat out nailing this simple message. I needed it and by God’s grace, mercy and power I receive it. My husband of almost 13 years will be sending you flowers. (not! but if he read this he probably would!)
I read this incredible novel just out of college. I need to revisit it.
A chuckle, though – my beloved Nana used to say without the slightest hesitation, “You’re right and I’m wrong-as-you-usually-are.”
Haven’t read the book but definitely love the quote. In fact it does make me remember of my 4th scripture memory: “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Is 55:8-9 NLT
I love this point. I attend a Non-Denominational church, and have a close friend that is Catholic. Our sons are best friends and so we talk about different biblical beliefs sometimes. I make a joke of it that we are all wrong somewhere in our own beliefs in some area. The Word of God mentions several times that we are to be of “one mind” or of “one spirit” and yet look at all the denominations with all their own different theologies.
My friend and I say this, I believe in Jesus Christ, Son of God; you believe in Jesus Christ, Son of God; then it is up to God to straighten out the rest in our hearts.
I have a friend who was considered dead for and hour and forty-five minutes, he now goes around to churches and gives his testimony of what happened to him during that time. He said he went to heaven and wrote a book about his experience there. One of the things he says all the time is that after his experience he realizes how small of a box that we all put God in. God is so much more, and so much bigger than we can even know.
Your description of Liza Hamilton sounded like you were describing me. OUCH! I confess that I think of sriptures I think others need. God really spoke to me through your post. Thanks for sharing Melissa!
Oh my. How timely. You’re talking to me here! I’m going to take this to heart…..thank you.
Thank you for sharing that. I am very guilty of this also. We have to be open to how the Spirit is leading us and patiently consider what he has in mind and watch out for man made rules, etc. I have not read this book, may have to get it. Thanks for giving us these words to help us in our walk with Jesus.
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.” Prov 25:11-12
Thank you so much for this post! It was incredibly timely as I was in need of hearing that maybe my convictions weren’t the Lord’s on a particular issue 🙂
I needed that. I especially like the part about thinking we can “co-judge.” Oh to be humble and not full of such stinkin’ pride. Thankful He loves me even when I strut like a peacock over a pearl of wisdom He’s granted me. Shew! Thanks for the reality check!
I probably needed that.
Wow! What A word! Thank you!
I am a wanna be writer, so I love it when I hear people glean wisdom from the mouth of a fictional character. I have some characters that I wish I was more like. Melanie Hamilton in Gone with the Wind is one. She is so forgiving and blameless all at the same time. It takes all the self control the Holy Spirit is willing to dole out to me to not take everyone elses life into the court room of my mind for analisis and recommendation. I’d like to be more like Melanie, seeing the good in others and trusting God to guide them. I have adult children, do I hear an AMEN!
Melissa,
Thanks for this very thoughtful post. I love “East of Eden” and I am especially happy you have brought it to us to discuss. Using Liza to bring up the topic of our “discerning” the voice or opinions of the LORD. Boy oh Boy is that hitting the truth on the head. We all do it and some of us more than others. I wish I had an equally adept quote from some literary source, but ALL I can say here is “Yup! been there and done that!”
By the by, we could discuss “East of Eden” in a whole lot more detail but then we would become a book club and would have to start a whole new blog.
Heidi
Thank you, Melissa!
I enjoyed “East of Eden” again last spring while sitting on the porch of my parents home out in the country. I remember the smell of the flowers carried by a light breeze, birds singing in the background and sometime the rain showers all made a wonderful back-drop while I read.
I find myself doing this alot of times. Always thinking that I’m right. My downfall is like another siesta posted, not taking it befor God First. I get alot of criticism from my family because im in constant conflict about right or wrong.
Thank you for the “God, thought checkup”
If Colin won’t let you get a horse, how about a dog named “Eschatology”? And siesta Fran, thank you for smacking me upside my head. I needed that.
good word! mmmhmm.. maybe I’ll pick up that one as soon as I need another read 🙂
Did you hear about the guy with the two dogs named Shirley and Goodness? And they followed him all the days of his life.
Okay, away from the corny. I’ll admit it took me 20 min of searching before I finally found this next verse. (thank you Dr Strong). Whenever I wish to take the moral high ground in a disagreement, I’m tempted to say with Paul:
“And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.” Phil 3:15b
I’ve never actually done it. Just wanted to 🙂
One of my favorite quotes (outside of God’s Word) that I try to remember when I’m sure that I’m right and that my husband is wrong comes from some movie I can’t even tell you the name of: A disgruntled daughter is chiding her mother for putting up with an obviously flawed husband. The mother’s reply is that somewhere along the way: “I decided I would rather be happily married than right.” Yes, my mouth dropped open too. And I’ve never forgotten it.
So, for those of us who thought our spiritual gift was defending our right to be right: probably not. Bummer.
My favorite beauty product is carmex! My lips could not live happily without it!
Thanks, Melissa…what a humbling reminder.
I loved that book; read it in 2005 doing a book club read with 3 other friends. I started out slow but the time came to get busy so I could really enjoy the discussion. I couldn’t put it down. It had so many spiritual “thinking moment,” and Lee was full of them….I never really thought about Liza’s comments when I was reading it; but you make a great point. I need to reread that book. Thanks for bringing it up.
One friend said to me, “If I find myself saying something to my husband about his conduct more than once, I realized I was trying to control him and that is NOT my God-given responsibility as his wife.”
I used to say things to my husband like Liza did to hers, but God has taught me through hard experience to keep silent and say it to the Lord instead. So now when I feel like speaking a repeated rebuke to my husband (blush), I instead try to pray, “Lord, you are working in his life too, and I know you love him more than I do. I trust your promise that you will meet my need (including my need for security, safety, intimacy, etc.) and trust you to deal with my husband in whatever way you see fit.” Then I also release my desire to see my husband punished.
In some circumstances, I have had to pray this prayer repeatedly and include the line: “I believe, Lord, help thou my unbelief.”
My relationship with my husband has improved exponentially.
Thank you for this reminder not only for what we think of for ourselves, but, for what others say to us in His Name. It may not always be His Word just because one proclaims it in His Name. Thanks Melissa. I love the way you think.
What a wonderful reminder! We must not get too full of ourselves. May humility be my best quality!
In gest I believe God shares the same conviction as myself inregards to coffee. My husband gets on me about drinking too much. I tell him God has a mug of coffee in his left hand and reigns with his right hand.. haha
Love ya Siestas,
Shannon
Kissimmee, Florida
I really liked the scripture at the end of this blog. God is everything. He made everything, controls all, and is in everything. I am so blessed that he is in my life. I can’t fathom how I could have made it through my life without him, even in the times I did not have awareness that he was there. I praise God for his mightiness. Bless you for your ministry.
Thank you for being obedient to our Lord.
So true, Melissa!! So many times God is reminding me that “woman’s intuition” is not the same as the Holy Spirit! I confess;sometimes I get the two confused!!
What a great post! I love your posts. I don’t tell my husband to pray about it, but recently I remind my 5 year old – “what would God think?” So it’s not the same situation, but the neighbor kids who are 10 watched me correct my 5 year old. I simply asked if God would be pleased that she (the 5 year old) was telling the neighbors she did not want to be their friend. Later I heard the big kids talking about the situation amongst themselves. It was strange to hear them saying I asked her if God would be happy about it and made me think about my teaching to my daughter.
As one who tries to encourage/exhort/teach with words on facebook and my blog, I would have to say that the last thing I would want said of me was, “It was well known that Jamie Harper and the Lord God held similar convictions on nearly every subject.” I want to be mold-able. I don’t just want to be a spigot of eternal words that are meaningless because of my lack of humility. I want to be a spigot of eternal, useful, words that my life also portrays.
Wow, reading this one and then your mom’s most recent post answered two big questions…. well, really, the first was a gentle rebuke, and the second was an answer… as in how much is too much to share and do I have to be completely transparent to truly minister to people. Thankfully, the answer to that is a big, resounding NO. Some things are nobody’s business, and the answer is that I do NOT have to air all my (and my husband’s!) dirty laundry for someone to know I understand what they are going through.
Oh, and the fact that I was raised in a truly Christian family while my husband was not doesn’t make me a spiritual authority. Really?? Rats. I thought I had one on him, there… 😉 Seriously, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. Many blessings 🙂
OUCH. This controller is moved. Hopefully moved to move over!
This post reminds me to remember that the question is not: Is God on my side? The question should be: Am I for God? or Am I on God’s side? God is God, and I want to stand on His side, whether it is popular or politically/socially correct. I want to have a Biblical world view, and the only way to have that is to study His Word.
Radical observation. I love it. I found myself within those words. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for that very humbling and convicting word. Thank you for being used of the Lord.
Blessings,
Anita
Thanks, Melissa! I’m inspired! I’ve read lots of Steinbeck, but nit that particular one. I’m going to the library tomorrow! I have recently become aware of a sanctimonious, pharasee-cal, religious part of myself that has grown. Time to weed it out!! 🙂
hahahah – “I’m going to give you a couple of minutes to testify that you fully agree with me that God is on my side in this argument and not yours.” i totally cracked up at this because this is totally me at times.
about two years ago, i believe the Lord told me that if i kept trying to do the job of the Holy Spirit when it came to my husband (or anyone else for that matter), then He (the Lord) wasn’t going to involve Himself. If, however, I quit trying to do His job and simply trusted Him, He would surely do a mighty work in both my life and my husband’s life. This has definitely been true.
Exodus 14:14 (NKJV) The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.
trust Him to do fight for you. otherwise, He might not…