You know, there are just some posts that I don’t want to write. There are some topics that the Lord impresses upon me, for personal reasons, that I don’t really want to share. However, He won’t let this one alone, and I feel like I’m supposed to muddle through it in this public forum – like it or not. So, today I set out to discuss mocking God. Sounds fun, doesn’t it?
Perhaps I should start at the beginning. For a (very) long while, I have struggled with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, with regard to eating right, exercise and some physical (non-life-threatening) health issues. Like many of us, I’ve made repeated attempts to alter my diet and be disciplined with exercise; some attempts met with victory, others not so much. However, of late, and as I’ve been heartily seeking God’s will for the next steps of my purpose during this season of life, He’s been steadily convicting me of my lack of discipline with my health. None so much as while I was in San Antonio for Living Proof Live.
I wasn’t even going to go to that conference, but God impressed upon me that, not only was I to go, but I was supposed to ask Debbie Williams (an author and speaker from Texas) to go with me. I only know Debbie through blogging, and very little, at that. However, when I asked her (only after a few days of arguing with God), she said YES. And so, we went. I was excited to find out why God had us there together.
God also worked out, at the last minute, for me to go to Lifeway’s Fully Loaded conference with Pat Layton (Lifeway author/speaker). It was during her presentation about ministering to women in crisis, that she said something totally off the cuff.
You can’t move to the next level, until you let go of the one you’re on.
She was speaking about how God was moving her to her next phase of ministry, and that’s what I thought He was saying to me, as well. My mind was a whir, as I tried to think of what He was asking me to let go, so He could move me to the next thing. And, then, it hit me: I had to let go of my bad habits, with regard to my health, or my body simply would not be capable of doing the work He had for me. In short, He would not advance me to the next level, until I dealt with this one.
The next day, I got in the cab with Debbie to head over to the LPL conference. Out of the blue, she began to tell me about how God had convicted her about her health. She had been burning the candle at both ends, getting no sleep and using caffeine to keep her going so she could make publishing deadlines and be ready for speaking engagements. She said that God told her that she simply would run out of steam before her race was done. I sat there, stunned, as I realized why we were supposed to be there together.
I came home with a new determination to get my act together, and, to be totally honest, it lasted about 20 minutes. Change in this area comes HARD and SLOW for me. I start to make excuses and begin to rattle off a veritable litany of justifications in my mind. It has been a week of stops and starts. Finally, during my quiet times of the last two days, the Lord has brought me two passages that have convicted to my core:
Yesterday:
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:7-9
Today:
A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke. Proverbs 13:1
Because I seem to have a head that is hard as rock, God tends to repeat Himself for my benefit. He’ll string together the same word through different sources, so I’ll sit up and take notice. But, really, who wouldn’t take notice at being called a mocker – of God, no less!
I looked up the word “mock” on an online dictionary, and this is what it says (emphasis mine):
mock 
Audio Help [mok] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation
Audio Help [mok] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation
–verb (used with object)
| 1. | to attack or treat with ridicule, contempt, or derision. |
| 2. | to ridicule by mimicry of action or speech; mimic derisively. |
| 3. | to mimic, imitate, or counterfeit. |
| 4. | to challenge; defy: His actions mock convention. |
| 5. | to deceive, delude, or disappoint. |
By not heeding God’s instruction, I’ve become a mocker. I’ve shown contempt, I’ve challenged God’s authority over me and have defied Him, and, worse, I’ve given Him cause for disappointment. Being a mocker, by definition, makes me an imitator of God – a person who thinks that my ways are better; that I can be my own god.
What I’ve found is that, while I may be trying to imitate God in my actions and exercising my own will over my life, being the “king of my own hill” is, in reality, synonymous with being the dweller of my own pit. Thankfully, He doesn’t want me buried down there in punishment; His convictions are used for the very purpose of pulling me up out of my pit of self to be able to move forward, instead of wallow. Our being mockers – imitators – of God, holds us captive, while being obedient followers sets us free to realize the fullness of God’s plan in our lives.
I don’t want to be a mocker. I bet you don’t either. If God is convicting you in an area of your life, then let’s let go of these things together, and let Him move us to the next level. Join me in following Him to freedom, because, thankfully, while we are convicted, we are not condemned.
Oh, Melinda! This was such a great post and I was sure there would be over 200 comments on this! There was SO much truth here and I know I was supposed to hear this. I too, need to hear it over and over again. It seems I am also one to hear something great like this… “You can’t move to the next level, until you let go of the one you’re on.” …and forget it 20 minutes later! I can SO relate to every word of this post. Thank you for your obedience and for writing this today. I’m so glad you invited Debbie after wrestling with God about it! You obeyed and it sounds like He blessed you beyond measure! And to hear it again is just amazing!
Much love,
Angie xoxo
p.s. I want to join you!
Melinda, first of all….ouch! This was a great post full of so much truth and much for me to think about! I do want to join you!!
Blessings
Michelle
Melinda – wonderful post! I loved that quote, “You can’t move to the next level, until you let go of the one you’re on.”
In noticing the verse at the top of your blog page, the Lord has truly showed you what is good and what He requires of you. I get so excited when I read of how personal God is to each of us – speaking exactly into our lives so specifically. I may not be “making a mockery” in the same areas, but I am guilty of not heeding God’s instruction in other areas.
Thanks for this encouragement to surrender and follow.
Joy
I’m so glad I stopped by…right between the eyes Sister!
Into my hard head as well.
The whole health thing…I’ve avoided it…rationalized since my daughters death 3 years ago that there were much bigger priorities…your post made it very clear to me…a message straight from Him.
thank you for the obedience!
tammy
WOW, were you just speaking to me? That wasn’t pretty but it is so true! Thank you for being REAL and TRUE my friend. We all need to be reminded of this!
Love you!
Jen
Wonderful words of teaching, Melinda. God has been challenging in one specific area, and this is the swift kick I need…TODAY!
thanks & peace~elaine
Wow Melinda, awesome word, I am the type God has to tell over and over too.
I guess I will read this a few more times and let it really hit
Love ya
I have been struggling with many of the same things. Never put as being a “mocker” in my mind… but independent and prideful. But it’s all the same thing.
I was reading Psalm 40 just this morning and I loved verse 17…
“Yet I am poor and needyy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my god, do not delay.”
I pray indeed that He will not delay in getting ahold of us.
As you spoke of letting go of something before moving on to something else, I also thought of the Parable of the Sower located in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8. In the Mark passage in verse 24-25 Jesus says, “Consider carefully what you hear… With the measure you use, it will be measured to you – and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”
This spoke to me last year about applying truths to my life so that more truth will be revealed. If I don’t apply it, it doesn’t soak in and become mine… I may lose it and I cannot be trusted with more truth.
Praising Him for his revelation.
I rambled, but it was a very thought provoking post.
Thanks for the thoughts to chew on.
The not so funny thing about this is….its me too! God and I have been round and round on this one.
I think there are so many of us that are struggling here.
I’m praying for us all Melinda.
Love,
Fran
Melinda!
Thank you for your obedience in writing this! it has echoed a pressing God has been doing in my life. Why are the callings of God met with such flesh resistance?
Inspiring.
Convicting.
Awesome!
Melinda,
I finally had a chance to catch up on your blog tonight and was oh so challenged! To think that I was the one to say the words that stirred you is a bit funny. You see, most of the times that I have been challenged by God to move from one level to another, it always involved letting go of a person, place or thing. The stirring that God placed in your heart hit a whole new cord in my own as I too struggle as you and Debbie have expressed!
You know how I have spent the past week. I am certain that my neglected body was reacting just like Debbie’s.
Isn’t it amazingly cool how God uses us to spur one another on and to minister His truth and love to each other!
Thank you sweet friend for your obedience in sharing this post!
love-you,
p
Melinda, Im new to the whole blog thing, your site is beautilful. One thing you said in your post really stood out to me. To be King of your own Hill is synomous with being the dweller of my own pit. Wow! what a statement. That is exactly how satan deceives us. We are drawn away by our own evil desires. I too strugle with health issues, only mine is weight control. It is a BIG PIT ive allowed satan to keep me in most of my life. Please lift me up in prayer, as im researching a program that provides intense weight management. I don’t believe in surgery for this issue. This program is medically supervised, with counseling and behavior management. Pray that God will show me what he thinks about this. What are you doing to overcome your health issues/
Heavy stuff, Melinda, but things we all need to consider and act upon. Thanks for speaking the truth.
I saw your introduction on TWV2, Melinda, and decided to visit your blog. I’m so glad I did. This is a terrific post! I’m sure it speaks to so many of us. Thank you for sharing the lesson you’ve learned, and God bless you in your continued writing!
Blessings,
Connie
Melinda,
This is just what I needed. I struggle and struggle with ALL my health issues and I know what to do but…I’m hanging on to those bad habits.
Thank you, LORD for sending that word through my sister in Christ.
Sheryl
Marietta, GA
Wow…thank you so much for your honesty and transparency. We need more of that! I have to tell you, I’m right in the same spot… what a God-thing! I appreciate the pointing to Truth, I don’t want to be a mocker either. Blessings,
Mandi
Melinda,
You worked this out in such a beautiful way. There is such truth here! THAT QUOTE about moving to the next level…wow that alone is a blog post isn’t it!!!
I’m positive that our Father is going to bless your obedience to share this with us…THANK YOU!!
stephanie
Melinda — this one just slammed me right in the gut. I was trying to think of some more eloquent, but eloquent doesn’t cut it. I needed to hear / read this. I’m hanging on to some things and God is repeatedly telling me to let go and focus my attention on Him.
Thanks for this reminder – and for being obedient — this message may have been for all the other people who posted before me, but I know it was also meant for me.
Thanks for doing some toe stepping.
Melinda,
It was such a blessing being with you at the LP conference. Love you, friend, and proud of you for pressing on!
Debbie
Hi Melinda,
Yolanda at Higher Ground sent me a link to your blog. I read down and got to this one and I know GOD is getting weary with my dismissing this area.
I just read today about what details the Levites took with purifying and cleansing the temple of GOD during Hezekiah’s reign and I thought I heard GOD say, “Your body is my temple now”.
I know that and I know how HE feels about HIS temple – then and now.
Where I live there are more overweight sick people that do not smoke or drink – why? Because they are told they are sinful.
What about eating until we can barely move and sitting and not exercising our bodies after church?
It’s gluttony and it is serious as well.
Thank you for confirming what GOD has been saying. I need to do this now before it becomes too late.
Blessings and prayers for your obedience to HIS word,
Teri
i love how i'm commenting on posts from 2008 for pete's sake.
but thanks for this. you know why. just thanks.