Life is BOOTY-ful

Scripture: Jeremiah 45

It’s a short chapter in the book but has a chock full of insights. To give you a background, the chapter is all about Baruch (son of Neriah) who is feeling a little bit despondent about the things happening around him. Who wouldn’t? I mean, if there was a looming threat over the city and I knew of its impending doom, I’d be freaking out as well. After Jerusalem’s destruction in chapter 39, he had been accused by the remaining leaders of wanting to hand them over to the Chaldeans (chapter 43). Add to the fact that they are all in exile en route to Egypt when God made it clear through Jeremiah (chapter 44) that they would all die if they did. If there were any more reasons to be depressed and hopeless, Baruch has it all.. which is probably why he said, “Ah, woe is me! For the Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am weary with groaning and have found no rest.” To which the Lord asks:

Are you seeking great things for yourself?

Pretty loaded question, huh? When I first read this, I thought “what’s so wrong with that?” I mean, isn’t that what we’re supposed to do? We set goals to  achieve, things to acquire and success to celebrate. I guess seeking great things for yourself is not bad.. but putting faith in great things for yourself is. God reminds Baruch in this chapter that he had put his faith in the things in this world that can be taken away. This is the reason why when disaster strikes, he ends up falling apart. “I will give your life to you as booty in all the places where you may go.” Sorry but I had to chuckle when I read this. Booty??? I had to look up what it really means. Before the era of Beyonce and Urban Dictionary, booty means “a rich gain, a prize”.

Do you feel pain? Do you feel sad? Do you feel hurt and sadness? Do you feel tired? Are you looking for rest? I find that when I put all my efforts in seeking to do things for myself, I end up feeling all these things. But when I let go and just soak in the fact that I’m still alive in this world, I find my comfort. Quit seeking great things for yourself and seek Him first. And when you put Him in first place, then all the worries of your world will be taken cared of. He says so in Matthew 6:33.

The Lord doesn’t add sorrow to your pain. Quite the opposite, He is the Giver of life. Life is a prize. Being alive is a rich gain. I have to remind myself sometimes.. usually by sitting by the ocean with a tall green tea frappuccino and chillin’ with my Savior.