Who Am I

Does anyone know what a homonym is? I hope you have learned it in school, but if you do not know it is, it is a word that is spelled the same, but has different meanings or pronunciations. Words such as bow, bear, stalk, or left. Those are all words that they are spelled the same whenever you use them in a sentance, but depending on how you use them in the sentance will have a different meaning. For example, I will use the word stalk:

To prevent the caterpillar from eating the ear of corn, you have to spray the stalk with baking soda and water.
OR: Jerrod likes me so much that he stalks me when I go to Wal-Mart.

You see what I mean! Both statements are true........ok I will have a little mercy on Jerrod....he doesn't stalk me when I go to Wal-Mart, he only stalks me when I go to Kroger. (JK!!) Anyway the word is spelled the same, but just meanings in the sentance. Some of you who are more literary minded may know of a term for a sentance that uses the same idea. What I mean is a sentance that is pronunciated the same, but has different meaning according to the way you use it. For example, "Who am I". Depending of how I use it could mean it as question and ask "Who am I", asking the question and trying to define ourself. Or I could use it and say "Who AM I?" The later would be used as a way of questioning my priorities in life and my relationship with God. Who am I that I would even challenge God's purpose in my life? Jonah had this problem. When confronted by God to go into Ninevah and preach....he challenged God's decision and ran. In the last chapter of Jonah, do you remember what God's response is to Jonah when he gets angry with God for having compassion for the people of Ninevah? God basically says who are you for getting angry. I have made all things and created everything. I am the one who created Ninevah. I am much more concerned about that city than you.

Have you ever acted in the way that Jonah did? Where we think we know what is best for us in our life and we leave God out. We get angry with God for maybe not listening to our prayers (we think). We get angry with others for not acting a certain way. We get upset when things don't pan out the way we want. At that time in your life, I want you to ask yourself the question of "Who am I to even have the right to get angry?" If we act in the same way Jonah acted, God is clear on his response to us. Who are we for challenging God? In today's society we think we have rights to everything. We have the right for freedom of speech. We have the right to act the way we want or do what we want. But in all actuality, we don't deserve the right to anything. We have the freedom not because of our democratic society. We have freedom because of God's grace.

"God, who is rich in mercy, who made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved" Ephesians 2:4-5

Live it,

BB