Speak to the Corners

Recently my husband and I traveled across parts of Oregon heading to a family wedding. There was plenty of time to watch the scenery pass on by. Observing the geographical change from plush green, to gorge, to dry, to waves of fields of wheat.  Quietly, I sensed the Lord whisper to me, “Speak to the Corners.”  Hm.  Speak to the corners?  Having no idea what He was referring to at first, I asked Him to SHOW me the corners.  Suddenly I was made aware of the circular irrigation systems of the fields just outside my window.  Studying those, I saw the corners. Green stalks of young corn, grown in a circular pattern – then there were the dry, intentionally forgotten corners of the fields.  Assuming the farmers “did the math” and determined it wasn’t cost-effective to plant there.  I sensed God say, “THIS is not what I intended for your heart – no unhealthy corners.”

Over the course of these last few days, I have prayed about, mediated and asked the Lord to show me the corners of MY life.  He is ever so faithful to gently point to things I have tucked back, WAAAAY back into the corners of my heart. The corners of waste land, of no profit in my life, where nothing healthy and good can grow there.  Concepts, perspectives, views of myself and unhealthy views of God.  And wrong doings, habits or hurts.  As I pursued this, I was drawn to 1 Samuel 24. 

King Saul is in hot pursuit of David. David and his men are hiding in a cave.  Far back, in the corner (if you will) they sat quietly.  Saul comes into the cave for some privacy, to relieve himself.  David’s men encourage him, “THIS is your chance!  Kill him!” (paraphrased). Can you imagine the split-second thoughts that may have run through David’s mind?  “Yes, you are right, I am called to be King, I end this NOW!  This man has lashed out at me!  What have I done to deserve this?  Now, I end this rivalry!”  But NO!  There in the dark corner of the cave, David instead, stealthily crept forward, cutting off a small corner of Saul’s cloak.  In this, David was quickly convicted of what he had done, (*cutting at the lineage of Saul’s family) telling the men he was wrong to do so and they too were not to harm Saul.  Taking it further, he stepped out into the light, he called out, and revealed his presence to the King.  In short, Saul is humbled by the “I chose not to” opportunity by David. Saul genuinely shares, “May the LORD reward you well for the way you treated me today.  I know you will surely be king…” (vv19, 20)

May we too be rewarded well for the choices we make in the corners.  Sure, there may be brief missteps here and there. Yet, may we consider our thoughts, motives and actions. Knowing God knows our corners – watches our responses, waits (and invites) healthy cultivation. 

God knows ALL.  Regardless of how well we become at compact packing and creatively stuffing.  We try to deny the reality of our corners and tuck it back.  Until one day and it will – it all spills out!

God boldly states, “Can anyone hide from Me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the LORD.”  (Jer. 23:24, NLT). And the Pastor of Hebrews wrote: “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable.” (4:13).

May we speak to our corners, our intentionally forgotten corners.  May we echo the tender words of King David, “O Lord, You have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.”  (Ps. 139:1-2).  He closes with don’t stop THERE – “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (vv 23,24).  

God wants ALL our heart, healthy and profitable, for His good pleasure.  Speak to the corners.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)

*The hem: It goes way back to ancient(er) days, God instructs the Israelites to wear garments with specifically designed borders, hems or fringes also known as tassels. (Nu. 15; Deut. 22; Ex 28). These fringes came to represent authority, personality, their place in society and even lineages were sewn into the hem. Noblemen of the day would sign their name, authenticating, by lifting their robe and pressing the hem into wet clay tablets – specific stitching indicating family and function.  David was convicted because he CUT Saul’s lineage and symbolically cut the identity and authority of the Lord’s anointed. It was not God’s instruction. It was not God’s timing. Saul understood what had just taken place, and after his “may the Lord reward you for not killing me today” he continues saying: “And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. Swear to me therefore by the LORD that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.” (1 Sam 24:20-21, ESV)