Times of Reflection
Times of reflection do not always reveal the shiny and the spotless, many times the reflection actually reveal areas of one’s life that is in need of an overhaul repair. But what is one to do, if we are indeed helpless against the sin in our lives. Simple acknowledgement doesn’t seem to really make a difference. After the prayer, after the fasting, and the reading of the Word of God, and keeping your eyes our ears and our mouths from what is apparently evil in nature,,, what exactly can we do?
I love the words of Jesus when he said in the book of John, when asked of the disciples “what must we do to do the works of God?” and he answered “only believe” Wow, is it really that simple, Lord? Believe who, and to what degree? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and I will be saved? Believe and I will be healed? Believe that my past will no longer haunt me, that my wounds will be sealed up and no longer burden my heart? Believe that my marriage will be whole, that my children will walk with you? Of the doubters I think I am chief, yet there is something so deep in me that screams out, YES I do believe YOU, Jesus! I believe everything you say is truth, though I cannot make sense of it all every day, I do believe, that there will be a day when all things are whole and redeemed and returned to you LORD, God in the way it was first intended to be with and for you. I believe that all hearts will be whole; I believe that all relationships will be pure and right, I believe that all bodies will be healed; I believe that all things will be perfect in their maturity and bring glory to you, through your son Jesus and by the power of your Holy Spirit. I believe that in my crazy messed up world and in my tornadic financial storms, there is a peace that is only found in you. In the silence of finding out what you want to say to me in the stillness of the moment, if for just that moment you speak to my life and order the crooked path straight and the storm hushed, it is in that moment all is well and hope is given life.
So really, is it just that simple, to believe and do what? Do nothing? Well, if I am to take God at his word and understand the full scope of what the scripture teaches me, rightly dividing the word of God and apply it to my life, then YES, that is what I must do, first! Believe first that Jesus is who he said he was, and that God sent him to earth do the work of God. Religious talk aside, once you believe that Jesus is the Son (only begotten son) of God, and you begin applying this belief system to your life, all things will begin to look a little bit different. And when things look different to you, then you will respond differently to your external surroundings. When I have the “believing” part down, then the scripture teaches me that my life will begin to show this belief in the way that I think, talk and act. First it will begin slowly, in small steps of how you think about a particular thing, and from there only God knows the speed to which he wants you to grow.
Consider the oak tree; it begins as a very small acorn planted in the soil. The article I read suggested a germination time of 42 days and full sapling maturity at one season. After a very long time in the right soil, with the correct amount of water and sunshine, it grows, tall, majestic and beautiful. The oak tree has to withstand many hardships to become strong. But after it has grown to its full maturity, you will sit under the shade of its glorious branches and leaves.
Now look at the Chinese Bamboo Tree. Its beginnings are much the same as the oak tree; it must be planted in the soil of the earth, watered and fertilized. Year 1, no development, no progress is seen, year 2 the same, year 3 and 4 the same, but in year 5 this unique and beautiful tree will grow 80 feet in 6 weeks.
When did these trees grow? They grew during the entire span of their life though its fullness of maturity couldn’t be realized until much later. This is how it is much of the time in our lives. Even though we cannot always see the growing process, and though the maturing through hardship doesn’t seem to be much good to others, it is quite evident to the Father.
Seasons and Times of reflection let us see the good, the bad and the ugly, and our response as a Christian, a follower of Christ, should be: Believe in Him
I love the words of Jesus when he said in the book of John, when asked of the disciples “what must we do to do the works of God?” and he answered “only believe” Wow, is it really that simple, Lord? Believe who, and to what degree? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and I will be saved? Believe and I will be healed? Believe that my past will no longer haunt me, that my wounds will be sealed up and no longer burden my heart? Believe that my marriage will be whole, that my children will walk with you? Of the doubters I think I am chief, yet there is something so deep in me that screams out, YES I do believe YOU, Jesus! I believe everything you say is truth, though I cannot make sense of it all every day, I do believe, that there will be a day when all things are whole and redeemed and returned to you LORD, God in the way it was first intended to be with and for you. I believe that all hearts will be whole; I believe that all relationships will be pure and right, I believe that all bodies will be healed; I believe that all things will be perfect in their maturity and bring glory to you, through your son Jesus and by the power of your Holy Spirit. I believe that in my crazy messed up world and in my tornadic financial storms, there is a peace that is only found in you. In the silence of finding out what you want to say to me in the stillness of the moment, if for just that moment you speak to my life and order the crooked path straight and the storm hushed, it is in that moment all is well and hope is given life.
So really, is it just that simple, to believe and do what? Do nothing? Well, if I am to take God at his word and understand the full scope of what the scripture teaches me, rightly dividing the word of God and apply it to my life, then YES, that is what I must do, first! Believe first that Jesus is who he said he was, and that God sent him to earth do the work of God. Religious talk aside, once you believe that Jesus is the Son (only begotten son) of God, and you begin applying this belief system to your life, all things will begin to look a little bit different. And when things look different to you, then you will respond differently to your external surroundings. When I have the “believing” part down, then the scripture teaches me that my life will begin to show this belief in the way that I think, talk and act. First it will begin slowly, in small steps of how you think about a particular thing, and from there only God knows the speed to which he wants you to grow.
Consider the oak tree; it begins as a very small acorn planted in the soil. The article I read suggested a germination time of 42 days and full sapling maturity at one season. After a very long time in the right soil, with the correct amount of water and sunshine, it grows, tall, majestic and beautiful. The oak tree has to withstand many hardships to become strong. But after it has grown to its full maturity, you will sit under the shade of its glorious branches and leaves.
Now look at the Chinese Bamboo Tree. Its beginnings are much the same as the oak tree; it must be planted in the soil of the earth, watered and fertilized. Year 1, no development, no progress is seen, year 2 the same, year 3 and 4 the same, but in year 5 this unique and beautiful tree will grow 80 feet in 6 weeks.
When did these trees grow? They grew during the entire span of their life though its fullness of maturity couldn’t be realized until much later. This is how it is much of the time in our lives. Even though we cannot always see the growing process, and though the maturing through hardship doesn’t seem to be much good to others, it is quite evident to the Father.
Seasons and Times of reflection let us see the good, the bad and the ugly, and our response as a Christian, a follower of Christ, should be: Believe in Him