A group of old farmers and retirees sat around the table at the local restaurant in their usual chairs. They were solving all the problems of the world as older men often do. And some of us not-so-old types, too!
I sat with them next to two fellows I knew well. Let’s call them Ned and Ed. The conversation got past politics, and that took a while.
Ned and Ed pontificated about the latest agricultural developments and lamented agribusiness’s rise over farming. Being true farmers, they also complained about the price of gas and the weather.
As the morning wore on, the subject drifted to religion and faith.
Old Ned said to Ed, “If there is a God, why isn’t He doing more about the poverty, suffering, and injustice in the world? Surely He could easily do more than He seems to be doing now.”
Ed replied, “You know Ned, that’s an excellent question, but I’m afraid that one of these days, God will ask me the same thing.”
If we are honest, that comment should cause us to say “ouch” at least a little.
What do we do about all the suffering, poverty, and injustice? Those are huge problems, and we are unlikely to solve them all, but we can make a difference. How should we live as Christians?
We need to walk in keeping with the Royal Law.
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. James 2:8 ESV
Complaining about the winter weather, injustice, and poverty will not make it go away, nor will waiting for “the government” to fix it.
We cannot solve all the world’s problems, but if we committed to loving our neighbor as ourselves, we could make a difference one person at a time. Loving your neighbor is a huge step toward eliminating those problems.
One moment at a time and one step at a time. Let’s love others as Christ loves us.
Mount Baker, or Kweq’ Smánit in the local Nooksak language, dominates the skyline to the southeast in nearby Washington State.
One source describes it as a “10,781 ft (3,286 m) active glacier-covered andesitic stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc.” It is one of the snowiest places on the planet; in 1999, the ski slopes recorded a world record of 95 feet of snow in one season.
I love to look up and see the mountain before me. However, I’ve heard people say it’s always the same view, and they forget it’s there.
Yes, it’s always there, but the view is never the same twice if you have the eyes to see. The view may be similar day to day, but it’s never the same.
The mountain’s weather pattern constantly changes, highlighting or hiding parts of the peak. The face of the mountain changes with snowfall and melt or with differing times of day.
Like many things in life, we can grow to become so familiar with something that we fail to pay attention anymore. This happens with Christians. Sunday mornings can become mundane. Bible reading can become tiresome. Prayer can seem as simply a ritual.
Even the gospel message and our salvation can become humdrum. I’ve heard Christians say things like, “Another message on salvation by grace, or becoming more like Jesus? Why can’t the pastor come up with something new and interesting ?”
When we become inoculated against the truth of salvation through Christ alone, by faith alone, our hearts harden. We forget what we were saved from and the cost of that salvation.
Our hearts have deceived us into thinking that we are okay or that we don’t really need savings. Sometimes, we can get so proud that we believe that we are somehow unique enough to deserve salvation.
Our hearts are dangerous things. How reliable is your heart? It changes like the mountain does.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:9-10
The world tells us to “Just follow your heart.” It sounds like wise advice, but it’s a lie straight from the pit of hell, and it smells like smoke.
My heart can tell me many things, some of which might be true. Yet, in the wee hours of early morn, if I’m honest and truly examine my heart and its desires, it isn’t pretty.
I’m a relatively nice guy, not a vile criminal. I care about others and am reasonably honest. At least, that’s what my heart tells me most of the time. The truth is I’m self-centered and predisposed to all sorts of sin.
How reliable is your heart? My heart would quickly lead me to destruction. It is a path I cannot risk following.
Would I want to stand before God based on the merits of what my heart says? Absolutely not.
Honestly examine your heart and then consider what Jesus did for you despite that. Marvel at what it cost Him to pay the penalty for your sin.
May the recognition of His great love and mercy cause you to rejoice. May that joy never become stale or old news.
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.
