Find Us Faithful

 A look into history can be interesting - family personalities can actually make us laugh! Knowing our roots and the faithfulness of those who walked before us can also be rich. Jon Mohr wrote a song with these lyrics: "We're pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road - And those who've gone before us line the way - Cheering on the faithful. Encouraging the weary. - Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace." Many years ago, Dad and I walked through an old cemetery where many of his ancestors were buried; he reminisced of them, giving me insight into treasures of our family history. That afternoon stroll is a priceless moment to me - not just because I shared it with my Dad, but how [it seems] each life influenced his in one positive way or another. Mohr's lyrics continue: "May all who come behind us find us faithful - May the fire of our devotion light their way - May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe - And the lives we live inspire them to obey - May all who come behind us find us faithful." Paul wrote in Ephesians "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called" (4:1, ESV). How worth our time to consider how worthy is our walk! Are our lives marked by a notable faith for those who are watching, those who one day we will leave behind? Indeed, may those who come behind us ... find us faithful.

Heart-Smile

My small collection of birds bring me joy - they really do make my heart smile.  My Granny loved birds, and so did my Mom.  Jesus spoke fondly of his feathered creatures several times during His earthly ministry.  “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns …” (Matthew 6:26a).  He spoke specifically of the sparrow, the smallest of birds:  “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.” (Matthew 10:29).  In both passages, He wants us to know as He loves and cares for the birds, even more He loves and cares for us:  “… and yet Your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26b), and “Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:31).  How deeply The Father loves and cares for each one of His children - what a reason for a ... heart-smile.

Yes, Lord, Yes!

If you've ever asked a child to do something and received an adamant "I will not," it was most likely quite stunning. Jeremiah 6:16 records these words of God: "Thus says the Lord: 'Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.' But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’" Although we're all guilty of knowing God's words of instruction (His commandments) and failing to obey, I suspect none of us would verbally tell Him, "no, I'm not going to do that." Not much is said these days about spiritual discipline, however, God does take His children "to the woodshed." The intent of His discipline is clear: "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11, ESV). For much the same reason children are corrected - to lead them into right and honorable behavior - God disciplines those whom He loves (Proverbs 3:11-12). What joy we take in obedient and well-behaved children; likewise, how pleasing to The Father are those who, instead of a rebellious "no," give a resounding and joyful ... Yes, Lord, Yes!

Rest In Him

"Life is like riding a bicycle.  You don't fall off unless you stop peddling."  I always enjoyed riding a bicycle, and I really liked the coasting part of riding.  As much as we want to coast through life, we find ourselves peddling all the more and the harder it becomes. God really cares about the weariness of His children.  Life makes us weary; the daily must-do things wear on the body, mind, spirit and heart. The Father is ever gently yet firmly reminding us He has declared victory over every things that weighs us down with every struggle. , and weariness.  Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28, ESV). Christ knows all about those things because He faced them and conquered each one as The Son. What joy we can rest in Him completely. In her 1876 hymn, Jean Pigott wrote: "Jesus, I am resting, resting, in the joy of what Thou art; I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart." How amazing that we can actually stop peddling so ferociously and even coast as we quietly and peacefully ... rest in Him.

Plain Path

Plain is good for me. My colleagues used to laugh at my "plain" computer  desktop – no colors, no screen savers, no background, only a few icons. Maybe it's because I'm easily distracted or confused, but plain works for me. For God's Children, the plain path is good. Psalm 27:11 says, "Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies." The Hebrew word for "plain" is "straight." Think of how often and easily we are lured away from God's protective Shadow and directive Hand by the world's lavish calls. Yes, we are easily distracted by evil's brilliance and luster. Oh, how we need the plain, the straight as pointed to by
God's Hand -- directed to the righteousness He desires in our lives. Plain ... nothing alluring, nothing distracting -- a plain, straight path on which to travel. Plain really works best for us all!