Eternally Minded

Read: Luke 18:29-30

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

 - Hebrews 11:1

 

As I sat on my lanai, drinking a cup of hot cocoa and reveling in the cool breeze blending with the warm sunshine in southern most Florida, I reflected on the fact that I live so far away from my grandchildren who live in Missouri. I despise the fact that I rarely get to see them. Even when I plan a visit, their schedule and mine do not always coincide. I miss them, and they tell me all the time that they miss me.

I know I cannot live in more than one place at one time; so I petitioned God for some way to change my perspective. I did not want to feel this intense anguish over the great gulf of time and space that separates me from my cherished children. I could not do anything to change the situation; so I put it in God’s capable hands.

True to form, God clearly answered me, “Your grandchildren have Godly parents and you will have your grandchildren and their parents with you throughout eternity. I moved you to the southern tip of Florida, because there are people here who will not be in Heaven, if they do not have your and your husband's influence in their lives.”

My initial response was overwhelming joy at this insightful concept. I felt awed and privileged that my Lord and King would use me in such a way. Yet, in spite of the profound nature of God’s reply, I still struggled with submission to His will. This was yet another area of “self” that I needed to lay down on the brazen altar. I did not want to give up quantity time on this earth with my little munchkins. I longed to be involved in their lives on a daily basis. I did not want to be satisfied with an eternal perspective on this issue. I wanted to be with them now, as well as in eternity.

As I observed my response to God’s words, I realize that yet another level of attachment to this world remained entrenched in my soul. This caused the Holy Spirit to drench me with a double dose of conviction. Here lay in me an added area of carnal-mindedness. After over 40 years of walking with God on an intimate basis, I found one more area of my life still way too attached to this earthly realm. Sure, I have no affection for material possessions, worldly success, or recognition of any kind. Now, however, I realized that part of me is still very much bound to this world ~ the grandma part of me.

God is not as interested in our natural family as He is in our spiritual family. Mark 10:29-30, Luke 18: 29-30, and Matthew 19:29 all share this same concept. Luke 21:16,17 even states that some of our natural friends and family may actually deliver us up for persecution and death. Jesus makes it very clear that we will not always get along with, or be physically close to people in our own friend and family circle, due to our relationship and calling in the Lord. Jesus felt this same distance from His own friends and family; and the servant is not greater than her Lord (John 15:20).

The more I thought about it, therefore; the more spiritual excitement filled my soul. In eternity God will free us from all of these natural barriers and conditions that strap us to this earthly sphere. The moment we are absent from this body, we will be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8) and we will know and be known (1 Corinthians 13:12) for eternity.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I am not happy with this situation. I am struggling with laying down my need to enjoy my own dear grandchildren’s company more often. I rely on You to give me both the desire and the power to live out Your will for me in this earthly realm, regardless of the circumstances in my life (Philippians 2:13).

Thought for the Day:

God’s reality looks nothing like our earthly existence.

Alone in Silence

Read: Matt 14:22-23

“Let him sit alone and keep silent, because God has laid it on him;" - Lamentations 3:28

So often we rush through life meeting deadlines and using up every ounce of human effort we possess. We slug caffeine to wake us up, and then some pills to quell the headaches produced by a hectic lifestyle, and yet another pill at night to put us to sleep. We depend on self-effort to deal with whatever life throws at us. We mistakenly think that nothing will ever get done if we do not do it. We forget that God does not leave us abandoned in this world. He does not call us to work for Him, but rather for us to allow Him to work in and through us.

When we sit alone, we are never lonely as long as the Spirit of God resides within our spirit. When we craft deliberate times during our day to be alone - "all-one"- with the Lord, He readily meets us right where we are. We can be united with Him, engulfed by Him and filled through all of our being with Him. We can be one with Him while walking on the sunny beach listening to the lulling cadenced of the swishing surf and the call of gulls floating on the breeze, or while driving in rush hour traffic commuting to and from work, and also as we move through the routine of our daily life. God is always within us, ready to commune with us whenever we give Him the chance. All it takes is for us to silence the cacophony within and without; and then to focus all of our attention on His Spirit in us.

It is evening now, and all of my chores are done. I hear my husband’s contented snoring in the bedroom. Crickets chirp outside of our office window with an occasional frog adding his opinion to the conversation. Once I finish writing this blog, I look forward to nestling into my fluffy recliner, wrapping in my furry afghan and taking time to enjoy concentrated “all-one” time with Jesus.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, my soul waits silently for You, because You are the source of all of my joy. My soul finds rest in You alone; my salvation comes from You (Psalm 62:5). Help me to enter that quiet place within my spirit all throughout the day, no matter what responsibilities claim my time, so that I can focus on You and enjoy fellowship with You every moment of my life.

Thought for the Day:
The essential ingredient for growing closer to Christ is silent time alone with Him.

Falsely Accused

Read: Matt 26:59-60a

“For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them.” - Acts 25:11 (NKJV)

There is nothing that upsets me more than a false accusation. I make so many mistakes, for which others can justly accuse me that I hate to receive false accusations as well. One day, during my devotion time, God reminded me that the Jews falsely accused Paul and Jesus also. Therefore, I am in good company.

Biblical characters used a soft answer to turn away wrath (Prov 15:1). So from their example, I endeavor to learn that humility is always the best way to diffuse a tense situation. Now, when someone falsely accuses me, I remember that as long as God knows the truth, the false opinion of others makes no difference in my life. I do not need to use one breath in my defense, because God is my judge (Romans 14:4) and Jesus is my advocate (1 John 2:1).

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for giving us Your Word to teach us to see both sides of the coin. Help us to make wise judgments and never to accuse anyone falsely.

Thought for the Day:

The mouth of the righteous man speaks only wisdom and justice and never makes a false accusation.