Tag: opportunity
Even though Cain and and his brother became full-grown men with careers and responsibilities, Cain still interacted with the world and God as an emotional toddler. He threw tantrums, he was selfish, accusatory and violent.
As we age, our tents start to show signs of depreciation. But old age and even death is not the end of our story: one day soon, we’ll trade in these canvas coverings for eternal dwellings: homes of brick and mortar.
The Bethlehem shepherds had begun their evening quite ordinarily. They were tending to their sheep in their usual way. I think of these men keeping watch in dark pastures and I’m reminded that everyday obedience is expected before we are entrusted with the opportunity for extraordinary obedience.
Our God and King rises before we do, He sets a table with spiritual food each morning in high hopes that we will come and dine with Him. How often do we leave the manna untouched?
“Now some of the teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves…” (Mark 2:6 NIV) The Pharisees spent all their time in Jesus’ presence in dissection and accusation. Jesus’ ministry looked so wildly different than their own, they could wrap their minds around…
Often the difference between blessing and burden is our perspective.
In the wilderness, all that other stuff falls away. In the wilderness, life is stripped down to essentials and we can’t take another step without knowing God is with us. It is only in this parched land of perception or circumstance that we are consumed with longing for God. It is in the wilderness where we discover that He truly is enough. In the wasteland that we learn that our God really will provide all we need according to His riches and glory. In the wilderness we learn to follow closely: convinced and contingent upon His protection and provision.
Recognize this mountain climb as the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity it is.
Mary and Joseph’s premarital joy was exchanged for the shame of an unwed pregnancy.