Definition: The Act of Describing, Explaining and Making Clear

 

 

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it . . .”

(Isaiah 30:21 KJV)

 

 

I’m pretty good at describing things. And I often find myself explaining things that I don’t know anything about. And it usually works.

But making things clear is more difficult. That’s why, I quote the dictionary all the time. I like to get to the deeper meaning. I want to make things clearer for myself and my audience. But my voice isn’t the one that always makes the most sense. And you may find that your voice misleads you sometimes. How are we supposed to know which way to go?

Isaiah offers some words from God. Basically God says, “I will be your teacher. I will be speaking to you at every turn.” This promise was not only made to Isaiah, but also to God’s wandering, rebellious people. God makes promises. He is very clear about how He will accomplish things for us, so why do I still get confused?

Here’s what I love about God’s word. I find a promise and I quote it to myself. And most times it’s real comforting, until I read further. Jeremiah offers a similar promise from God to Israel, regarding God’s direction. Here’s the part I like to quote:

This is what the LORD says:

 

Stand at the crossroads and look;

ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.

 (Jeremiah 6:16a NIV)

Ahhh . . . rest for my soul . . .

 

But wait . . . here comes the clarifying, defining moment:

 

But you reply, ‘No, that's not the road we want!’

 

or even stronger in the King James version,

 

‘We will not walk therein.’

(Jeremiah 6:16b NLT and KJV)

 

God gives me definition all day long, and I often respond with rebellion. Yikes!

 

While one of my desires for this year is greater definition of God’s specific path for my life, it looks like in general I have all the direction I need:

 

Then [Jesus] said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23 NKJV)