Issue 1369 – Greener Grass – February 13, 2024
On the way to the church recently, we drove past some ball diamonds next to a park. At one of them, there are Canada geese year-round. They love to feed on the grass (and fertilize it, so I guess it’s a win-win situation).
It’s an ideal place for them. There is a small lake about 50 yards away, and the fence keeps out most predators. Calling it a lake is a bit misleading; it is more of a wide area on a creek, but we’ll call it a lake.
Most of the geese were in the usual spot, but I did notice a pair outside the fence, feeding on the bit of grass at the edge of the parking lot. I wondered if they thought the grass was greener on the other side,
As people, we are not all that much different. We think that someone else always has it better. They are smarter, richer or better looking. If only we could have what they have, we would be happy. If only this would happen or that would change, we would be content.
The media recognizes our restlessness, and advertisers use it mercilessly against us. They bombard us with images and sounds that tell us their product holds the secret to what we long for. The goal of advertising is to make us discontent with the status quo and drive us to want more,
If we buy their particular product, we are sure to be more prosperous, younger, more intelligent, sexier and, by implication, happier and the envy of all our peers.
Advertising works. The proof is in the billions of dollars spent on advertising. Businesses would only invest the amount they do in advertising if their pleas impacted us.
The problem is that all those things we chase fail to deliver. They leave us empty and with less money than we started with. The bigger house, fancier car, or better-tasting soft drink may bring us temporary pleasure, but ultimately, it leaves us unfulfilled and looking for more.
The pleasant things of this life were designed for us to enjoy. God is not against pleasure. It becomes a problem, though, when the pursuit of pleasure becomes our idol when we look to it to sustain us. Like all idols, it is doomed to failure.
True satisfaction, true joy and true fulfillment have only one source. They come through Jesus Christ. In our relationship with Him, we find the means to become all God created us to be.
Solomon, the world’s wisest and wealthiest man, understood this well. He had a crack at everything and found it all unfulfilling. The book of Ecclesiastes is a tale of the vanity (meaninglessness) of it all. All that is except God.
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
The Apostle Paul put it this way.
I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10-13
This verse on contentment is often misunderstood. People focus on the last sentence, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me,” and claim it as a promise that they can accomplish whatever they set their minds to. It means no such thing.
It is simply Paul declaring that no matter what life throws at us, we can get through it and be content in Christ.
Peace, hope, joy, contentment, forgiveness, and salvation are found nowhere except through Jesus. Everything else will fail to deliver.
Until next time, may you learn to rejoice and be content in Christ.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the Glory of God alone)
__________________________________________
Please like and share this post with friends and your circle of influence. Also, please comment if you wish.
Did you know we have an email version? It has the same content but in a different format. Subscribe today https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1
All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2024 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English
Standard Version (ESV). __________________________________________
#geese #CanadaGeese #lake #baseball #greenGrass #contentment #peace #joy #hope #advertising
#trending #dailyBible #verseoftheday #grace #god #HolySpirit #Jesus #Father #theology #blessing #BibleReading #biblestudy #bible #bibleVerse #jesus #christian #god #faith #jesuschrist #godisgood #scripture #love #prayer #church #truth #devotional