Issue 1494 – Bug Buffet – July 9, 2024
We were hiking as the sun began setting, and the mosquitos came out. They were thick; I would describe how thick they were, but then you would accuse me of exaggerating. Let’s leave it as there were lots of them.
Researchers believe that mosquitoes discover their prey by their sense of smell. I must have smelled like a buffet and they were determined to take full advantage of the opportunity.
By the time I got back in the house, my hands and face were covered in little bites. I think I might be personally responsible for the birth of the next billion or so mosquito larvae. It was not long before every one of those bites was itching like crazy.
I am usually relatively immune to them, but it was my first heavy-duty attack of the year, so they were acting up big time. It always amazes me how something so small can be so irritating.
Yet, isn’t it that way with life? Some of the things we get irritated and angry about are the least important of all. So what if we are really five minutes late? I know being on time is important, and I’m borderline obsessive about it. I was taught that being late was rude, but I do run late every now and then. I am learning to deal with it, slowly perhaps, but trying.
Just don’t get me started on churches that delay the start of service time, or meetings because people are still in the foyer. That’s rude and disrespectful to those who made the effort. Like I said, “I am learning.”
Does the direction of the toilet paper rolls or how the toothpaste gets squeezed make all that much difference? Does it matter that the guy in front of you is driving slightly slower than the rest of the traffic?
I remember a pastor speaking on this very thing. He was driving along contentedly in the slow lane. Ahead of him was a car with a “Honk if you love Jesus” bumper sticker. He honked. The response from the frazzled driver was an obscene gesture. Oops!
We often live our lives forgetting that peace, joy, and contentment are ours. Those around us don’t see the peace, joy, and contentment that could be theirs because we are too uptight and stress about things that we cannot change or that do not matter one iota.
Remember, folks, that we are to trust Jesus and not worry. I am preaching to myself here as well.
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:25-33
As followers of Jesus, we need to learn to stop complaining, lighten up, and let it go. We need to stop sweating the small stuff and majoring in the minors.
We are called to forgive and be graceful. We are called to be loving and generous. That’s hard to do when we’re in the midst of a self-created, self-centered hurricane of anger and frustration.
Take a breath. Sing a praise song. Give it to Jesus in prayer (He’ll be up all night anyway). Be still and know that He is God.
Until next time, may you learn to utilize the freedom that is yours in Christ.
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)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV)