Tag: joy

  • Facing Into the Wind

    Dealing with stress and worry

    Frost covered bison - source https://www.rawpixel.com/image/4038803/photo-image-animal-public-domain

    When we lived in the Edmonton area, we frequently visited Elk  Island National Park to observe the bison (buffalo) and other wildlife. It was always a treat. 

    Unlike horses and cattle, the bison often seemed to face into the storm, rather than away from it. Their thick, heavy coats and high metabolism allow them to face cold and storms extremely well. Many police forces had winter coats made of bison hide to keep out the winter.

    I’ve read places where people have romanticized the bison’s behavior as facing into the storm or walking towards it as the best way to get through it. I think that’s a pretty suspect interpretation, but it does make for good imagery.

    How do we react to the storms of life? Do we face up to them or do we try to hide away?

    Life comes with storms of many kinds. They can be like squalls, sudden, unexpected, and short. Or they can be like blizzards, you can often see them coming, they blot out everything, and seem to last forever.

    No matter the type of storm, they are seldom pleasant to endure. I was tempted to write “never pleasant”, but someone would have thought of an exception.

    Believers have a huge advantage over non-believers when the storms come. We’re anchored in Christ and He walks with us, no matter what comes.

    For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

    My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28

    If you aren’t in the middle of a storm right now, rest assured, there is one coming because life is full of them, and God uses them. The storms discipline us, change us, and strengthen us. They teach us to follow His ways and rely on Him.

    When the storm hits, face into it. Trust Jesus, and He will walk you through. 

    Jesus has got whatever you are facing, and with Jesus, you’ve got it too.

    Kevin

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  • Donkeys – Beasts of Burden – and a sign of Jesus

    donkey

    I’ve always had a soft spot for donkeys. It likely stems from a  giant stuffed donkey I had as a small child. Donkey-Burro was nearly as tall as I was and a constant companion.

    Donkeys and I have an affinity. I have never met one that didn’t like me. If there is more than one person around, the burros seem drawn to me.

    I remember one occasion in South Africa. The place we stayed had a donkey that I visited. Each time Kathy drew near, the donkey got between Kathy and me, moving her away so it could have my exclusive attention.

    Donkeys (or asses, in some older translations) appear in several places in the Scriptures. They are shown as beasts of burden, the mouthpieces of God (Balaam’s donkey), symbols of wealth (see Job), and symbols of peace. It’s the latter I want to touch on this morning.

    A donkey is used prophetically to symbolize the coming of the King of Peace.

    Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 ESV

    We know from the gospels that this prophecy was fulfilled.

    Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Matthew 21:1-7 ESV

    The Jews were expecting a conquering, military messiah. That sort of king would ride in on a stallion, symbolizing wealth and military might.

    Instead, Jesus rode in on the donkey, a humble beast. He shattered their expectations and showed that He would be a different sort of king. He was a King of Peace, changing things by winning hearts and souls, not crushing them under His feet.

    There will be a return at the final judgment when all things are weighed and all of His enemies banished, a time when justice reigns perfectly and supremely, and a time where love conquers all.

    The humble beast brought the victor into Jerusalem that day. His ways are not our ways, and for that we can rejoice.

    The next time you see a donkey, remember the humble King of Kings and praise His name.

    Kevin

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