The labyrinth mutely sits in the middle of the cedar forest. The space above the labyrinth, cleared of trees, provides a clear view of the bright blue sky, dappled with cotton ball clouds. The nearby water of a fountain continually rushes, creating a soothing, watery sound as it splashes to a pool three feet below. The white rocks lining the labyrinth gleam in the bright summer afternoon sun. If I were to step over the rock boundaries straight to the center of the labyrinth, I’d be there in a mere eight steps. I choose instead to follow the labyrinth’s circuitous path. Around and around I walk. My path grows closer to the center, and then it doubles back again, taking me toward the outside edges where I see a sign telling me that the center of this labyrinth represents God or perfection. As I walk in circles closer to, then farther from the center, God and perfection seem very elusive.
While I walk I reflect on how this labyrinth is like life’s walk. God, perfection, lies at the center of life. As I walk toward God and perfection, my path does not lead directly to Him. I curve, drawing near, then my spiritual path doubles back and I walk away from perfection; I walk away from God. As I meditate, I notice the rocks lining the pathways. Rough and rugged, their presence helps me find my way. None of them is extremely large; each is about the size of my hand.
I wonder about the person who placed these rocks in their concentric circles. Although each is small, carrying hundreds of them would be an enormous task! Walking back and forth, lifting, stooping to place each rock on its curved path, standing, lifting more rocks, bending again to place them, an arduous task indeed!
As I near the center of the labyrinth, I recognize the symbolism of the jagged rocks lining the pathway. Each represents my sins. As I walk toward the center of the labyrinth, toward perfection, toward God, I must drop the burdens of my sins. One by one Jesus forgives my sins, allowing me to drop their weight from my soul. As they thud into the dirt, Jesus reaches down with rough, worn hands. He picks up my sins, and places them in rows. These rocks are not placed to remind and judge me, no! They are placed to show me where to place my feet, where to walk next. As I drop my sins, thinking of the grace that allows their weight to fall from my soul guides me ever closer to God. Occasionally I turn around, but Jesus’ gentle reminder that my sin is forgiven and forgotten turns me once again toward my goal, walking toward God. The way isn’t straight, the way isn’t brief, but the way is provided. The way is Jesus.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
What Would Jesus Do?
The birds’ singing gradually entered his conscious mind, brushing the last shadows of sleep away. He stretched and uttered a barely audible prayer: Thank you, Father, for a rejuvenating night’s sleep and cheerful wakeup music. Stretching again, he willed his body fully awake. Well, Father, what shall we accomplish today? There is much to be done; I wait on your leading for today’s tasks. After a moment he rose, dressed, and prepared and his simple, yet substantial breakfast. Thank you, Father, for this food. Thank you for the energy it provides my body, ample energy to work for your kingdom and do your will this day.
After breakfast, he walked to his workshop. In the hustle and bustle of the crowded city streets, he wove his way through the throng of humanity, careful not to jostle or push as he navigated the busy streets. While he walked he acknowledged each person, nodding and smiling as he caught someone’s eye. He prayed as He walked, Father, there is much pain in Samuel’s eyes today. Please heal his aching back and make him whole again. Sarah’s face is filled with heartache. Put your arms around her and let her know how very much you love her.
Just before he reached his carpenter’s shop, he stopped at the home of Naomi, David’s widow. How are you today Naomi? I’ve brought something for you and the children. This loaf ofbread and these olives are more than I can eat. I don’t want them to spoil. Won’t you do me a favor and share them with your children?
At last he reached his shop. Walking through the low doorway into the cool, dimly lit room, he inhaled the fragrance of cedar. Picking out the boards and tools he needed to make a table for Ezekiel, he walked out the back door into the courtyard and the bright light. Using his adze to smooth the edges of the wood, he found himself in a reverie from the repetitious, rhythmic work. Running his hand over the smooth wood, he basked in the beauty of its grain. Father, I’m so glad we made cedar trees. Their lovely scent is unlike any other. They provide homes for birds, small animals and insects. They provide beauty and shade for mankind. Now that they’re cut, these trees provide wood for beautiful furniture and a myriad of other useful items for people. How I enjoy working with the wood. It’s fascinating to watch whatever I’m making grow and change. What began as a living tree became rough cut wood that I can transform through the work of my hands into a useful, beautiful object. As it changes in my hands, I think about the people around me. Father, soon my time as shaper of wood will end, and my time as shaper of humans will begin. How ironic that the hammer that joins these pieces of wood will become the instrument to split my hands and feet. Yet I look forward to the completion of Your plan for the salvation of humankind. I gladly make the sacrifice to end separation from you, Father. You have given me the strength and skill to work with the wood, now as my time for ministry nears, give me the strength to finish my work here on earth.
Oh God, thank you for the obedience of Jesus and Your amazing grace in saving us. Guide our thoughts and actions that we too may obey Your every command.
John 14:31 “But the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.”
After breakfast, he walked to his workshop. In the hustle and bustle of the crowded city streets, he wove his way through the throng of humanity, careful not to jostle or push as he navigated the busy streets. While he walked he acknowledged each person, nodding and smiling as he caught someone’s eye. He prayed as He walked, Father, there is much pain in Samuel’s eyes today. Please heal his aching back and make him whole again. Sarah’s face is filled with heartache. Put your arms around her and let her know how very much you love her.
Just before he reached his carpenter’s shop, he stopped at the home of Naomi, David’s widow. How are you today Naomi? I’ve brought something for you and the children. This loaf ofbread and these olives are more than I can eat. I don’t want them to spoil. Won’t you do me a favor and share them with your children?
At last he reached his shop. Walking through the low doorway into the cool, dimly lit room, he inhaled the fragrance of cedar. Picking out the boards and tools he needed to make a table for Ezekiel, he walked out the back door into the courtyard and the bright light. Using his adze to smooth the edges of the wood, he found himself in a reverie from the repetitious, rhythmic work. Running his hand over the smooth wood, he basked in the beauty of its grain. Father, I’m so glad we made cedar trees. Their lovely scent is unlike any other. They provide homes for birds, small animals and insects. They provide beauty and shade for mankind. Now that they’re cut, these trees provide wood for beautiful furniture and a myriad of other useful items for people. How I enjoy working with the wood. It’s fascinating to watch whatever I’m making grow and change. What began as a living tree became rough cut wood that I can transform through the work of my hands into a useful, beautiful object. As it changes in my hands, I think about the people around me. Father, soon my time as shaper of wood will end, and my time as shaper of humans will begin. How ironic that the hammer that joins these pieces of wood will become the instrument to split my hands and feet. Yet I look forward to the completion of Your plan for the salvation of humankind. I gladly make the sacrifice to end separation from you, Father. You have given me the strength and skill to work with the wood, now as my time for ministry nears, give me the strength to finish my work here on earth.
Oh God, thank you for the obedience of Jesus and Your amazing grace in saving us. Guide our thoughts and actions that we too may obey Your every command.
John 14:31 “But the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.”
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Can You Hear Me Now?
Everyone is familiar with the mobile cellular phone advertisement. The gentleman walks to various places, asking, “Can you hear me now?” What if God were asking the question, “Can you hear me now?” rather than the man in the commercial?
Your life is great. You work in a satisfying job, making a good salary. You own a nice home, a new car, and have beautiful, smart, well behaved children. You have close friends and a full social life. When life is just perfect, do you hear God asking the question: “Can you hear me now?”
Later your business is not doing well. You get the dreaded pink slip. You’ve had an argument with your best friend who no longer speaks with you. Your children think they know more than you and rebel. You and your spouse don’t communicate the way you used to. Nobody seems to understand how you feel. Can you hear God’s question: “Can you hear me now?”
Your unemployment has run out. You may lose your home. You have been ill and fear it may be something serious. You have to sell your car. Your life seems totally out of control. Can you hear God’s voice: “Can you hear me now?”
When times are tough we listen. When everything is going wrong and we have no out control, we finally turn to God for guidance. Then we ask Him for help. Then we listen for His voice.
Yes, Father, we can hear you now. It’s not the connection that’s bad. We often fail to listen. Help us to listen more.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 “Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.”
Your life is great. You work in a satisfying job, making a good salary. You own a nice home, a new car, and have beautiful, smart, well behaved children. You have close friends and a full social life. When life is just perfect, do you hear God asking the question: “Can you hear me now?”
Later your business is not doing well. You get the dreaded pink slip. You’ve had an argument with your best friend who no longer speaks with you. Your children think they know more than you and rebel. You and your spouse don’t communicate the way you used to. Nobody seems to understand how you feel. Can you hear God’s question: “Can you hear me now?”
Your unemployment has run out. You may lose your home. You have been ill and fear it may be something serious. You have to sell your car. Your life seems totally out of control. Can you hear God’s voice: “Can you hear me now?”
When times are tough we listen. When everything is going wrong and we have no out control, we finally turn to God for guidance. Then we ask Him for help. Then we listen for His voice.
Yes, Father, we can hear you now. It’s not the connection that’s bad. We often fail to listen. Help us to listen more.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 “Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.”
Friday, June 17, 2011
A Thunderous Voice
The bible tells us that God speaks in a still, small voice. But sometimes when I enter a still, small state, His voice shouts and thunders: How can my people be so blind? How can you be so deaf? Open your eyes! Open your ears! My glory is all around you and you ignore it.
Look! Behold my glory in the sky: The brightness of the sun, the vastness of the blue dome overhead. The moon and the host of stars glow at night; all these reveal my glory. Open your eyes to see Me! The majestic, snow-topped mountains and the heaving waters of the oceans, their waves crashing against the shore, are all shouting out my greatness. The brilliant bolt of lightning electrifies the night sky. How can you not see Me? Look in the eyes of an infant, in the caress of a loved one. Look at your own skin and hair. My glory is everywhere. See it, and glorify my name!
Listen! Everywhere you hear testaments of my greatness: The rumbling thunder in the midst of a storm. The early morning songs of the birds and the rushing waters of a mountain stream proclaim My majesty. Listen! You will hear my voice. Listen to the laughter of a child. Listen to the wind in the trees. Listen to music: the piano, guitar, violin, and saxophone all sing of my glory. Hear the voices of those who love you. Listen to your heartbeat. Hear your breathing. All these provide testimonies of my greatness. Open your ears; glorify my name.
O my people, how can you be so blind? O people, how can you be so deaf? Open your eyes; open your ears. My glory resides all around you! See it. Hear it. After you finally see it and hear it, do not be mute. Tell others how great I am. Open your mouth and glorify Me.
Father, forgive me. Forgive me for the countless times I fail to notice your glory all around me. Forgive me for not listening for your voice. Keep my eyes and ears open that I may behold your glory. Let my mouth open in praise of my almighty God.
Job 37:2-5 “Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth. He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heavens and sends it to the ends of the earth. After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back. God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding”.
Look! Behold my glory in the sky: The brightness of the sun, the vastness of the blue dome overhead. The moon and the host of stars glow at night; all these reveal my glory. Open your eyes to see Me! The majestic, snow-topped mountains and the heaving waters of the oceans, their waves crashing against the shore, are all shouting out my greatness. The brilliant bolt of lightning electrifies the night sky. How can you not see Me? Look in the eyes of an infant, in the caress of a loved one. Look at your own skin and hair. My glory is everywhere. See it, and glorify my name!
Listen! Everywhere you hear testaments of my greatness: The rumbling thunder in the midst of a storm. The early morning songs of the birds and the rushing waters of a mountain stream proclaim My majesty. Listen! You will hear my voice. Listen to the laughter of a child. Listen to the wind in the trees. Listen to music: the piano, guitar, violin, and saxophone all sing of my glory. Hear the voices of those who love you. Listen to your heartbeat. Hear your breathing. All these provide testimonies of my greatness. Open your ears; glorify my name.
O my people, how can you be so blind? O people, how can you be so deaf? Open your eyes; open your ears. My glory resides all around you! See it. Hear it. After you finally see it and hear it, do not be mute. Tell others how great I am. Open your mouth and glorify Me.
Father, forgive me. Forgive me for the countless times I fail to notice your glory all around me. Forgive me for not listening for your voice. Keep my eyes and ears open that I may behold your glory. Let my mouth open in praise of my almighty God.
Job 37:2-5 “Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth. He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heavens and sends it to the ends of the earth. After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back. God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding”.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Seeing the Dawn
After an unusually difficult two months—several lingering illnesses that left me constantly fatigued, my father-in-law’s serious stroke, caring for my mother-in-law—I was feeling tired, stressed, and discouraged. Driving to work, I shed a few tears of self- pity. As I turned to the east, a gorgeous sunrise greeted me. The thin clouds created a golden pink wash against a pale blue sky. Nearer were several larger, thicker clouds. The light behind them, made them appear black.
“Thank you, God,” I whispered, “for the gift of a beautiful sunrise.”
“The darker clouds”, God whispered to my heart, “represent your trials, troubles, and fatigue, tiny compared to the splendor around them. In the midst of your trials I am all around you, surrounding you with my light and my glory—loving you through the hard times.”
As I continued to drive, the sun rose higher, casting its light on the darker clouds in the foreground, turning them a brilliant pink, far brighter than the clouds in the background. “This too shall pass,” the Lord whispered in my heart. “Brighter days are ahead.”
God is with us, through good times and bad. We only need to open our eyes to see him.
Psalm 30:5b “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
“Thank you, God,” I whispered, “for the gift of a beautiful sunrise.”
“The darker clouds”, God whispered to my heart, “represent your trials, troubles, and fatigue, tiny compared to the splendor around them. In the midst of your trials I am all around you, surrounding you with my light and my glory—loving you through the hard times.”
As I continued to drive, the sun rose higher, casting its light on the darker clouds in the foreground, turning them a brilliant pink, far brighter than the clouds in the background. “This too shall pass,” the Lord whispered in my heart. “Brighter days are ahead.”
God is with us, through good times and bad. We only need to open our eyes to see him.
Psalm 30:5b “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
Saturday, June 4, 2011
My Boat Has Sprung a Leak
Oh Lord, help me—my boat has sprung a leak!
The hole is very small, but the water trickles in.
My bucket scrapes the bottom, scoops the water it can get,
But still the water trickles in; my feet are getting wet!
Oh Lord, help me—my boat has sprung a leak!
The hole has gotten bigger and the water bubbles in.
I fill my bucket full and toss the water overboard.
But still the water bubbles in; my arms now grow like lead.
Oh Lord, help me—my boat has sprung a leak!
I’m bailing and I’m bailing, but the water gushes in.
It’s about to swamp my boat and my back is awfully sore.
Truly I don’t think that I can do this anymore.
Oh Lord, help me—my boat has sprung a leak!
I’m weary from the bailing, and I’m far too weak to swim.
The water churns around me and it takes away my breath.
How do I save myself from certain drowning death?
“Yes, child, I’ll help you—I know about the leak.
I‘ve listened to your prayers, and I know the plight you’re in.
Rest now from your labors; trust Me unconditionally.
You cannot save yourself; salvation comes from Me.”
Thursday, May 19, 2011
New Growth
I love springtime! Overnight the world changes from dull, dry, and dead to colorful, vibrant, and alive. The trees, which stretched their bare arms heavenward all winter, are blessed with a pale green blush. The Bradford pear tree in the front yard nods its white, blooming head gently in the spring breezes. Yesterday, the grass was brittle and brown. Today it is soft and green. Even the dandelions (which Scott so diligently tried to exterminate last summer) look beautiful nestled in their greenery.
How exciting it is to examine new growth in the gardens! The phlox, low to the ground, carpets the yard with purple. The huge forsythia bushes glow a vivid yellow beside our gray house. Everywhere signs of new life abound. The greenery of snapdragons, daisies, hostas, bee balm, and yarrow all promise future blooms. The clematis vines, recently just dead sticks, sprout new growth at every intersection; some are already three feet long, loaded with buds. Dozens of purple cone flower plants already climb several inches high, assuring a future of beautiful flowers for us and nectar for bees and butterflies to enjoy. Spring is such an exciting time as the perennials burst forth with new life and a promise for beautiful, fragrant summertime blooms.
Do you feel that sense of new growth and springtime revival in your soul? Deep within our hearts we recognize a spirit of growth, its green tendrils growing ever closer to God, seeking His face. The palest green blush of revival is evident in us as we stretch our arms heavenward. While we work, pray, and seek God’s guidance, we can almost feel the buds of future flowers forming on the green plants of our spirits. We eagerly anticipate the new blooms, filling our lives with God’s beautiful purpose and the fragrance of His sweet spirit.
Oh God, our master gardener, nurture the garden of our souls. Eradicate the weeds of doubt, dissention, and fatigue. Enable our garden to bring forth lovely blooms infused with heavenly fragrance, and receive all the praise and glory for the sweet beauty of the heavenly garden of our souls.
John 1:1, 4 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener….Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
How exciting it is to examine new growth in the gardens! The phlox, low to the ground, carpets the yard with purple. The huge forsythia bushes glow a vivid yellow beside our gray house. Everywhere signs of new life abound. The greenery of snapdragons, daisies, hostas, bee balm, and yarrow all promise future blooms. The clematis vines, recently just dead sticks, sprout new growth at every intersection; some are already three feet long, loaded with buds. Dozens of purple cone flower plants already climb several inches high, assuring a future of beautiful flowers for us and nectar for bees and butterflies to enjoy. Spring is such an exciting time as the perennials burst forth with new life and a promise for beautiful, fragrant summertime blooms.
Do you feel that sense of new growth and springtime revival in your soul? Deep within our hearts we recognize a spirit of growth, its green tendrils growing ever closer to God, seeking His face. The palest green blush of revival is evident in us as we stretch our arms heavenward. While we work, pray, and seek God’s guidance, we can almost feel the buds of future flowers forming on the green plants of our spirits. We eagerly anticipate the new blooms, filling our lives with God’s beautiful purpose and the fragrance of His sweet spirit.
Oh God, our master gardener, nurture the garden of our souls. Eradicate the weeds of doubt, dissention, and fatigue. Enable our garden to bring forth lovely blooms infused with heavenly fragrance, and receive all the praise and glory for the sweet beauty of the heavenly garden of our souls.
John 1:1, 4 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener….Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
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