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Life's Tassels
Kyle Lum"“Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach them with a blue cord.
When you see the tassels, you will remember and obey all the commands of the Lord instead of following your own desires and defiling yourselves, as you are prone to do.
The tassels will help you remember that you must obey all my commands and be holy to your God."
Numbers 15:38 - 40 (NLT)
The LORD just had to deal yet again with His people; first their fear at the negative report of the 10 scouts who saw potential in the land but balked when they saw the occupants were big and scary looking. They wanted to go back to Egypt!
Then after the LORD declared they wouldn't enter the land--only their kids would--because of their rebellion, they changed their mind and charged in, despite the order not to go...and for that they got whooped and chased back to where they were!
So God gave Moses instruction to give to the people; laws regarding offerings, obeying the Sabbath, and then this unusual order to attach tassels to their clothing. Tassels.
The tassels were visible reminders, almost distracting reminders, of who they were, and more importantly, WHOSE they were. Chosen. Hard-headed. Rebellious. Yet loved by the LORD God.
They needed to be reminded; as we will see shortly in Korah's rebellion, what the consequence would be when the tassel was disregarded and they took matters into their own hands.
While it would be pretty neat to have tassels sewn to the hems of our clothes today (maybe not as fashionable to most), to remind us of who we are, and whose we are, there are things and actions that can act as markers or tassels to our lives.
My morning daily time in God's Word and journaling reminds me that my actions and words were guided by that small voice that speaks to me every day. Mostly.😬
My times of prayer, on my drive to work (radio off), allow me to speak to God without presenting a "wish list" or griping about so-and-so or such-and-such, and simply talk. And listen. Because I'm not my own.
And my serving while working is a tassel that reminds me that the revocable privilege of ministry is sustained only as much as I keep my heart from pride and any "holier than thou" attitude as I represent Him in all I do.
Do I always listen? Do I sometimes try to do it my way? Does God know how hard-headed I can be?
I'm glad for grace. And I'm glad for the tassels on the hems on my life.
Lord, I read with awe at how stubborn and rebellious Your people were; even in Your visible, awesome, terrifying presence...they still smack talked You, argued with Your chosen leader, even wanted to go back to the places You freed them from!
Then I look at my life and realize I'm just as bad, even worse, and Your Son's life covers all my sin and shame. I repent!
Thank You for the reminder to keep and always see the "tassels" on my life. I need to be reminded often that I am Yours, and You chose me...until the day You call me home.
