Grace Moment by Moment-weekly column
How many of us go through life carrying habits, attitudes, and memories, like baggage? 'Clutter' comes in many forms. Past wrongs, and misdeeds we'd like to make amends for. Or, the 'clutter' of old papers, trash and junkmail. If we were to think abut it, the changes that come abruptly into our lives through death, divorce, circumstances, environment or other causes could also be considered 'clutter'.
All concept of waiting has been virtually eliminated from society's culture. We live in an instant, 'I want it now' mindset where everything at every turn must be accomplished immediately. From fast food restaurants to drive-thru grocery stores 'clutter' fills our lives.
As part of the creative process, a writer or an artist will methodically clear a space, wash dishes or remove obstacles from his/her way in preparation for beginning a project.
That is the same way we tend to treat God. We believe if we clean up our lives first we can then approach Him as an equal, not as someone who needs a Savior to clean him/her of sin.
To rid ourselves of all the 'clutter' in our lives we must first recognize there is nothing we can do on our own merits to accomplish this. It can only happen when we accept the 'hand up' offered by God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Through Christ's death, burial and resurrection we have access to God "by grace [we] have been saved through faith; and that not of [our] selves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, NASB)
Clearing the 'clutter' this way, is an act not only of faith but of surrender as well. When we surrender our lives (dirty, unkempt, marginally clean or spotlessly perceived), to Christ He will work (moment by moment, hour by hour or day by day) to teach us how to live better.
Just as an artist or writer works in conjunction with an editor or an agent to polish and refine their skills, so Jesus will cleanse, polish and refine us. One mess at a time. This transformation isn't instant or immediate but a life-long sifting process to eliminate the baggage of old habits, problems and/or negative influences that hinder our growth to full maturity.
The most important thing God wants us to remember as we persevere through life: Hope is always available if we look up and reach out to take hold of it. Perhaps this poem will help everybody to see that.
Come Walk With Me Through Life's Journey
From the dark recessed corners of my mind
they came, like specters, one memory at a time.
Taunting, tormenting and accusing me
of failures, mistakes I'd made, like chains dragging me down eternally.
Grim reminders of a scarred and battered soul
that longed to be clean and whole.
As I huddled in fright,
suddenly I was bathed in iridescent white light
and a voice called to me,"My Child, come here
there is no need to cower in fear.
When I died on Calvary's tree
it was humanity's face I saw before Me.
I gave My life in sacrifice
so you would have the Gift of Eternal Life!
These specters of your past have no power over you
for My Blood covers you."
When understanding dawned
I knew then that all along
God had been there
and I was safely in His care.
He will walk with me hand in hand
as together we faced life's demands
and I would grow in His Grace
as He stretched my faith.
I lift my voice to sing,
Thank you Jesus, you are Lord of Lords and King of Kings!"
Written by:
Belle Anne Leslie
Written on:
January 7, 2005
About Me
- Belle Anne Leslie
- I love to write poetry, fiction, non-fiction and feature articles!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Thursday, October 19, 2006
The Heavenly Father's Example of Fatherhood
Grace Moment by Moment-weekly column
"I wish I hadn't given him up." sighed my Dad. Regrets, wishes, and hopes were the unspoken dreams my Dad expressed in his last days. How many of us would give everything we possessed to have one last chance to make amends? It's been three years since Dad died and still his words haunt me.
When Dad was a young man, he and his wife at the time, made a tough decision to give up their child for adoption. Dad knew it was the right thing to do. They couldn't provide for him because of circumstances and financial problems. That doesn't mean it was an easy decision to make then . . . or now.
In a perfect world, parents would never make mistakes, grow old or die. But, we don't live in a perfect world. As I gave him care during his last days, I learned to see my Dad as a human being. He had feet of clay, didn't live on a pedestal and simply loved . . . me. The life he lived was checkered with poor choices, snap decisions, vices and health problems. However, these things shaped who he became. I don't know much about his relationship with his own parents, except what I heard in passing from his siblings. I do know for a fact, the one thing he never regretted was pouring all of his love into me. Maybe he thought he could make amends for everything else, if he showered me with all the attention he never gave my brothers. (Including the one I didn't know about.) I know he loved them deeply, he just never knew how to show it in a positive way. Dad's gone and only God knows the truth now.
What I do believe is that in His own way, through the little details I most often overlooked, Dad loved me.
As a father, God did the same for his son, Jesus. While God gave Jesus life, He couldn't be present physically to teach Jesus how to make a living with His hands. Or take Jesus to His first service at the local synogogue. So, God did something wonderful. He gave Jesus two incredible parents, Joseph and Mary, to simply love him.
That's why I wrote the following poem. To share with everyone how much God loves us, and that the Heavenly Father's example of fatherhood is something everybody can do: love your children.
Father to Son, Son to Father
Holding Heaven in his hands,
Joseph struggled to understand,
how a little baby boy could be
the answer to save all hunanity.
'How was he, a humble carpenter from Nazareth, supposed to teach
Yahweh's Son, to preach?'
Caressing Jesus' face with his callused fingertips
Joseph marveled at the hunger in the boy's eyes
as gut-piercing cries
spilled from His lips.
Silently, Joseph wondered,
'How would sin's curse be sundered?'
Thirty years later, Jesus sat by a dying Joseph's bedside
and described to him what would happen after Joseph died.
"The depths of God's Love will reach down from Heaven above
erasing the boundaries of time and space
proving nothing compares to the infinite span of God's Grace."
then Joseph reaching out, blessed Jesus, "My Son, may the Light of God's Grace shine upon you. May you always bring honor to your Heavenly Father."
When Joseph breathed his last and first breath, Jesus gathered him into His arms and cried, "Abba! Father!"
Then Jesus wept.
Three years later, Jesus kept
His word. And today we know the impact Joseph had on Jesus' life,
how communion with God came about because of Jesus' sacrifice.
Storm-tossed and buffeted on every side
we still need to tell others Jesus is Alive!
Then we too, like Joseph,can rejoice
with a loud voice
as we sing,
"Praise and Thank you Jesus, for You are Lord of Lords and King of Kings!"
Written by:
Belle Anne Leslie
Written on:
May 3, 2006
"I wish I hadn't given him up." sighed my Dad. Regrets, wishes, and hopes were the unspoken dreams my Dad expressed in his last days. How many of us would give everything we possessed to have one last chance to make amends? It's been three years since Dad died and still his words haunt me.
When Dad was a young man, he and his wife at the time, made a tough decision to give up their child for adoption. Dad knew it was the right thing to do. They couldn't provide for him because of circumstances and financial problems. That doesn't mean it was an easy decision to make then . . . or now.
In a perfect world, parents would never make mistakes, grow old or die. But, we don't live in a perfect world. As I gave him care during his last days, I learned to see my Dad as a human being. He had feet of clay, didn't live on a pedestal and simply loved . . . me. The life he lived was checkered with poor choices, snap decisions, vices and health problems. However, these things shaped who he became. I don't know much about his relationship with his own parents, except what I heard in passing from his siblings. I do know for a fact, the one thing he never regretted was pouring all of his love into me. Maybe he thought he could make amends for everything else, if he showered me with all the attention he never gave my brothers. (Including the one I didn't know about.) I know he loved them deeply, he just never knew how to show it in a positive way. Dad's gone and only God knows the truth now.
What I do believe is that in His own way, through the little details I most often overlooked, Dad loved me.
As a father, God did the same for his son, Jesus. While God gave Jesus life, He couldn't be present physically to teach Jesus how to make a living with His hands. Or take Jesus to His first service at the local synogogue. So, God did something wonderful. He gave Jesus two incredible parents, Joseph and Mary, to simply love him.
That's why I wrote the following poem. To share with everyone how much God loves us, and that the Heavenly Father's example of fatherhood is something everybody can do: love your children.
Father to Son, Son to Father
Holding Heaven in his hands,
Joseph struggled to understand,
how a little baby boy could be
the answer to save all hunanity.
'How was he, a humble carpenter from Nazareth, supposed to teach
Yahweh's Son, to preach?'
Caressing Jesus' face with his callused fingertips
Joseph marveled at the hunger in the boy's eyes
as gut-piercing cries
spilled from His lips.
Silently, Joseph wondered,
'How would sin's curse be sundered?'
Thirty years later, Jesus sat by a dying Joseph's bedside
and described to him what would happen after Joseph died.
"The depths of God's Love will reach down from Heaven above
erasing the boundaries of time and space
proving nothing compares to the infinite span of God's Grace."
then Joseph reaching out, blessed Jesus, "My Son, may the Light of God's Grace shine upon you. May you always bring honor to your Heavenly Father."
When Joseph breathed his last and first breath, Jesus gathered him into His arms and cried, "Abba! Father!"
Then Jesus wept.
Three years later, Jesus kept
His word. And today we know the impact Joseph had on Jesus' life,
how communion with God came about because of Jesus' sacrifice.
Storm-tossed and buffeted on every side
we still need to tell others Jesus is Alive!
Then we too, like Joseph,can rejoice
with a loud voice
as we sing,
"Praise and Thank you Jesus, for You are Lord of Lords and King of Kings!"
Written by:
Belle Anne Leslie
Written on:
May 3, 2006
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Faith: The Evidence of Things Not Seen
Grace Moment by Moment-weekly column
A little over a week ago, my church-Albright United Methodist Church in Mishawaka, IN-lost its sanctuary to a fire. So much has happened that it still seems surreal to see the damage when I go by the location. Sunday services on October 8, 2006 were held at Battell Park across the street from the sanctuary. I attended the first service at 8:30 a.m. and witnessed more than one person glancing over, then with a dazed expression, turn back to focus on Pastor Dennis' sermon.
Seeing in the Dark
Over the course of this week, more than one person has asked questions like, 'Why would a just God allow this injustice to His people?' or 'Did God send this fire as a judgement for sin in the church?' or 'What about all the hype that people are supposed to experience prosperity when they become a Christian?' I have to be honest here. I don't know how to answer someone else's questions much less find ones for my own. I mean, when good things happen to bad people, I become outraged just like anyone else. Yet, when bad things happen to good people, doubt, fear, anger and confusion take over. Okay, I imagine I know what you're thinking. Something like, 'That's not how a Christian should respond to suffering.' Why not?
Faith, like Grace isn't a one-time offering or experience, it is a continual expression of placing your trust in God to see you through a situation. The key word to remember here is 'through'. Through good times and bad, prosperity or poverty, illness or good health, environment or circumstances, God wants a sin-darkened world to see the evidence of His Presence displayed through the faith of His people. God uses any method or experience to stretch a soul's faith in Him. To ask this question, just as Philip Yancey, in his book, 'The Bible Jesus Read' does, 'Can a person believe God for no other reason than, . . . for no reason at all?'
One of my favorite Bible stories from the Old Testament has to do with three men. Their names are Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These guys were high profile Jews, members of the Persian King Nebuchanezzer's gubernatorial council. Kind of like President Bush's Cabinet ministers today. To put it in layman's terms, King Neb, he let all the power he had swell his pride. He began to think he was even a god. Pretty serious stuff.
Well, one day, King Neb decided to build an idol of himself. He ordered all of his people including his gubernatorial council to bow down and worship this idol. Well, Don't you know, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to worship any god except their own: God. Their reward for believing God for no other reason than, well . . . no reason at all? King Neb was so furious he tied them up and threw them into a hot, fiery furnace. Almost instantly, King Neb noticed something unusual. In astonishment, he said, "I see four men loose in the midst of the fire and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." (Daniel 3:25, KJV)
Now, when King Neb called to them, the three guys exited the furnace, their clothes were intact, they had no burns, and they didn't smell like smoke. Pretty amazing, huh? It's a true story. The point is, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had faith that "the God we worship can save us from [King Neb's] flaming furnace. But even if He doesn't, we still won't worship [any other] gods." (Daniel 3:16,CEV)
What About Today?
The fire at Albright United Methodist Church affected many people. One that stands out in my mind is a member whose family has been attending Albright's for over 30 years. During a women's retreat this past weekend, she related this story.
As she stood watching the fire consume the sanctuary, one thought, one breath prayer, kept going through her mind. 'Lord, Daddy's picture of Jesus, ( the one he painted, with Him standing at the garden door, knocking, waiting to be let in, with the doorknob on the inside) is gone. Oh, Lord.'
Four days laterat the women's retreat, the lady listened in shock as another member described the find.
"The day after the fire was out, a firefighter approached one of the Pastors and asked him to follow. The firefighter led the Pastor into the charred remnant of the sanctuary. Bending down, the firefighter brushed aside some rubble to reveal . . . the picture of Jesus. The firefighter lifted it out and said, "I thought you might like to have this." The Pastor wiped the soot off the glass with a rag, and stared in disbelief. It was completely intact, with no smoke or water damage to its frame or contents."
The lady remarked, "You mean Daddy's picture survived the fire?" After the other woman nodded yes. The lady wept.
What's the point? God displayed evidence of His Presence through the fire, not around, under, past or over it. I've found that is the only way to get to the other side. Sometimes, I wish I knew the answer to why there is so much pain and upheaval in life. What I do know (and believe) is that God will walk with us through the fire.
Hope for Tomorrow
It is inHis perceived absence as well as in His Presence that people see the evidence God exists, the most. Each person meets God at a different point in their walk with Him. It is through life, with all its lemons that we do, say, and become faithful servants of God. What will be our response when storms come upon us?
A very long time ago, at the edge of a primeval forest, laid a meadow. Its boundary was marked by a wide, flowing river. At the edge of the forest stood an old oak tree, its arms waving majestically to the sky. Along the river's banks, stood slim willow and cattail reeds.
One day, stormclouds built in the sky. With a mighty thunderous roar, wind and rain ponded down to the earth. The willow reeds bent, slapped, and hummed in the blinding fierce gale. The old oak tree sank its roots down deep, as it braced itself against the wind.
Suddenly, a tremendous CRACK! split the air. With a scream of pain, the oak fell with a loud crash to the ground. Time passed. The storm drifted off and the world was right again. And yet, as the air grew still, gasps could be heard from the woodland creatures.
The old oak tree, laid broken and dying on the ground. While the willow and cattail reeds, straightened, as they shook off the remaining droplets of water. They were strong and resilient as ever.
What type of faith do you want to be known for?
Heaven's Music
In this world, there's too much sorrow, too much fear
In order for God's Grace to appear
Heaven's music must be heard
through the revelation of Jesus, found in God's Word.
And just as all of nature sings in perfect harmony
so too can humanity when Jesus calls, "Follow Me."
The question he asks each of us is, "Will you surrender your life
to tell others I AM alive?"
From the birds singing in the trees
to saints bowed, praying, on their knees
to a child's laugh or the wind as it moans thru a mountain pass
Heaven's music, like streams of living water, flows fast
and only the bravest can tread to safety
when one places their trust in God not, "if, and, or maybe."
Only then will one remember
in the silent, still moments Jesus is near
and the bleak darkness of one's life rolls back to hear,
Heaven's music is everywhere!
Then this song of praise will lift one's heart to sing,
"Thank you Jesus, for You are Lord of Lords and King of Kings!"
Written by:
Belle Anne Leslie
Written on:
May 23, 2006
If you would like more information about Albright United Methodist Church, you can visit their web page at www.gbgm-umc.org/albright-mishawaka/
Also, I would like to recommend some books for those who enjoy reading.
They are:
'The Bible Jesus Read' by Philip Yancey
and
'Hadassah: One Night with The King' by Tommy Tenney
And for anyone looking for a great date movie, I recommend:
One Night With The King, opening nationwide, Friday 13, 2006. It is a wonderful movie based on the above listed book by Tommy Tenney.
Also, I recommend for viewing:
The Second Chance, now out on video and DVD. It features Michael W. Smith as one of the principle players.
I leave you with this verse:
"When you walk through fire . . . . the flame shall not consume you." (Isaiah 43:2-3, NRSV) Emphasis mine.
A little over a week ago, my church-Albright United Methodist Church in Mishawaka, IN-lost its sanctuary to a fire. So much has happened that it still seems surreal to see the damage when I go by the location. Sunday services on October 8, 2006 were held at Battell Park across the street from the sanctuary. I attended the first service at 8:30 a.m. and witnessed more than one person glancing over, then with a dazed expression, turn back to focus on Pastor Dennis' sermon.
Seeing in the Dark
Over the course of this week, more than one person has asked questions like, 'Why would a just God allow this injustice to His people?' or 'Did God send this fire as a judgement for sin in the church?' or 'What about all the hype that people are supposed to experience prosperity when they become a Christian?' I have to be honest here. I don't know how to answer someone else's questions much less find ones for my own. I mean, when good things happen to bad people, I become outraged just like anyone else. Yet, when bad things happen to good people, doubt, fear, anger and confusion take over. Okay, I imagine I know what you're thinking. Something like, 'That's not how a Christian should respond to suffering.' Why not?
Faith, like Grace isn't a one-time offering or experience, it is a continual expression of placing your trust in God to see you through a situation. The key word to remember here is 'through'. Through good times and bad, prosperity or poverty, illness or good health, environment or circumstances, God wants a sin-darkened world to see the evidence of His Presence displayed through the faith of His people. God uses any method or experience to stretch a soul's faith in Him. To ask this question, just as Philip Yancey, in his book, 'The Bible Jesus Read' does, 'Can a person believe God for no other reason than, . . . for no reason at all?'
One of my favorite Bible stories from the Old Testament has to do with three men. Their names are Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These guys were high profile Jews, members of the Persian King Nebuchanezzer's gubernatorial council. Kind of like President Bush's Cabinet ministers today. To put it in layman's terms, King Neb, he let all the power he had swell his pride. He began to think he was even a god. Pretty serious stuff.
Well, one day, King Neb decided to build an idol of himself. He ordered all of his people including his gubernatorial council to bow down and worship this idol. Well, Don't you know, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to worship any god except their own: God. Their reward for believing God for no other reason than, well . . . no reason at all? King Neb was so furious he tied them up and threw them into a hot, fiery furnace. Almost instantly, King Neb noticed something unusual. In astonishment, he said, "I see four men loose in the midst of the fire and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." (Daniel 3:25, KJV)
Now, when King Neb called to them, the three guys exited the furnace, their clothes were intact, they had no burns, and they didn't smell like smoke. Pretty amazing, huh? It's a true story. The point is, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had faith that "the God we worship can save us from [King Neb's] flaming furnace. But even if He doesn't, we still won't worship [any other] gods." (Daniel 3:16,CEV)
What About Today?
The fire at Albright United Methodist Church affected many people. One that stands out in my mind is a member whose family has been attending Albright's for over 30 years. During a women's retreat this past weekend, she related this story.
As she stood watching the fire consume the sanctuary, one thought, one breath prayer, kept going through her mind. 'Lord, Daddy's picture of Jesus, ( the one he painted, with Him standing at the garden door, knocking, waiting to be let in, with the doorknob on the inside) is gone. Oh, Lord.'
Four days laterat the women's retreat, the lady listened in shock as another member described the find.
"The day after the fire was out, a firefighter approached one of the Pastors and asked him to follow. The firefighter led the Pastor into the charred remnant of the sanctuary. Bending down, the firefighter brushed aside some rubble to reveal . . . the picture of Jesus. The firefighter lifted it out and said, "I thought you might like to have this." The Pastor wiped the soot off the glass with a rag, and stared in disbelief. It was completely intact, with no smoke or water damage to its frame or contents."
The lady remarked, "You mean Daddy's picture survived the fire?" After the other woman nodded yes. The lady wept.
What's the point? God displayed evidence of His Presence through the fire, not around, under, past or over it. I've found that is the only way to get to the other side. Sometimes, I wish I knew the answer to why there is so much pain and upheaval in life. What I do know (and believe) is that God will walk with us through the fire.
Hope for Tomorrow
It is inHis perceived absence as well as in His Presence that people see the evidence God exists, the most. Each person meets God at a different point in their walk with Him. It is through life, with all its lemons that we do, say, and become faithful servants of God. What will be our response when storms come upon us?
A very long time ago, at the edge of a primeval forest, laid a meadow. Its boundary was marked by a wide, flowing river. At the edge of the forest stood an old oak tree, its arms waving majestically to the sky. Along the river's banks, stood slim willow and cattail reeds.
One day, stormclouds built in the sky. With a mighty thunderous roar, wind and rain ponded down to the earth. The willow reeds bent, slapped, and hummed in the blinding fierce gale. The old oak tree sank its roots down deep, as it braced itself against the wind.
Suddenly, a tremendous CRACK! split the air. With a scream of pain, the oak fell with a loud crash to the ground. Time passed. The storm drifted off and the world was right again. And yet, as the air grew still, gasps could be heard from the woodland creatures.
The old oak tree, laid broken and dying on the ground. While the willow and cattail reeds, straightened, as they shook off the remaining droplets of water. They were strong and resilient as ever.
What type of faith do you want to be known for?
Heaven's Music
In this world, there's too much sorrow, too much fear
In order for God's Grace to appear
Heaven's music must be heard
through the revelation of Jesus, found in God's Word.
And just as all of nature sings in perfect harmony
so too can humanity when Jesus calls, "Follow Me."
The question he asks each of us is, "Will you surrender your life
to tell others I AM alive?"
From the birds singing in the trees
to saints bowed, praying, on their knees
to a child's laugh or the wind as it moans thru a mountain pass
Heaven's music, like streams of living water, flows fast
and only the bravest can tread to safety
when one places their trust in God not, "if, and, or maybe."
Only then will one remember
in the silent, still moments Jesus is near
and the bleak darkness of one's life rolls back to hear,
Heaven's music is everywhere!
Then this song of praise will lift one's heart to sing,
"Thank you Jesus, for You are Lord of Lords and King of Kings!"
Written by:
Belle Anne Leslie
Written on:
May 23, 2006
If you would like more information about Albright United Methodist Church, you can visit their web page at www.gbgm-umc.org/albright-mishawaka/
Also, I would like to recommend some books for those who enjoy reading.
They are:
'The Bible Jesus Read' by Philip Yancey
and
'Hadassah: One Night with The King' by Tommy Tenney
And for anyone looking for a great date movie, I recommend:
One Night With The King, opening nationwide, Friday 13, 2006. It is a wonderful movie based on the above listed book by Tommy Tenney.
Also, I recommend for viewing:
The Second Chance, now out on video and DVD. It features Michael W. Smith as one of the principle players.
I leave you with this verse:
"When you walk through fire . . . . the flame shall not consume you." (Isaiah 43:2-3, NRSV) Emphasis mine.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Bite-Size Chunks of Grace
Grace Moment by Moment-weekly column
In this world, everyone assumes contentment comes from having possessions and doing something important in one's life. An "I want it now" or "before now" mental attitude or expectation is the most common reaction to having to wait.
However, waiting is most often God's answer to prayer, and to our expectations. Waiting produces patience, and let's face it, humanity sorely lacks patience right now. For example, my church-Albright United Methodist Church in Mishawaka, IN, is learning firsthand what it means to wait. On October 2, 2006, as a severe thunderstorm rolled through the area, a lightning bolt from the storm struck the church sanctuary. Within minutes, the sanctuary was on fire. Flames shot 30 feet into the air, as the monster fire reduced the building to rubble. Word spread to the congregation just as quickly, and people began to gather. Within the hour hundreds of parishioners, neighbors, and fellow churches in the area knew about the fire. It took the fire department 12 hours to put it out and keep it from spreading to other buildings. By the next morning, everyone in the area counties knew or thought they knew what would happen next. People thought we would fold up and die. They were wrong.
By Tuesday night, a mobile food pantry truck pulled into the parking lot across from the shell of the sanctuary.Between 15-20 people showed up to help distribute food to the needy. Passersby were heard to remark, " I don't get it. Their church is gone, but they are still serving the needy. Don't they know they are the needy?"
My Pastors just smiled. One parishioner said, "We will rebuild the building. But the most important part of a church is still here. The people, that is what is important. Things are just things. But the people are the church and we will remain a church as long as we remember who we serve: Jesus Christ our Lord."
I can testify to that. Through the black plumes of smoke pouring forth from the sanctuary, one sound could be heard, that even the fire in all its rage could not quench, could not even come close to. "What was it?" you ask. It was the fervency of the prayers lifting as incense to the heavens, permeating the air before the throne of God.
And so like the Apostle Paul says in Phillippians 4:11-13, "I have learned in whatever state I am in, to be content. I have learned to be without and to abound that the power of Christ may be fully expressed through my life. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Flexibility+Adaptability=Grace above and beyond what we need. That is the equation of contentment. Grace isn't a one-time offering, it is a continual outpouring of God's Love and Mercy.
Just when you think you can't take one more moment of pain or suffering because the struggle to adapt seems too difficult, that is when "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6, NKJV) God will give you the strength for one more moment, (another 60 seconds, 10 minutes, or 1 hour) at a time. Then when you get through that chunk of time, God will give you the amount of Grace you need for the next chunk and so on.
Life is hard but God's Grace resonates even stronger and will sustain you if, you accept the situation, willing to roll with the punches, instead of bracing yourself against them.
In this world, everyone assumes contentment comes from having possessions and doing something important in one's life. An "I want it now" or "before now" mental attitude or expectation is the most common reaction to having to wait.
However, waiting is most often God's answer to prayer, and to our expectations. Waiting produces patience, and let's face it, humanity sorely lacks patience right now. For example, my church-Albright United Methodist Church in Mishawaka, IN, is learning firsthand what it means to wait. On October 2, 2006, as a severe thunderstorm rolled through the area, a lightning bolt from the storm struck the church sanctuary. Within minutes, the sanctuary was on fire. Flames shot 30 feet into the air, as the monster fire reduced the building to rubble. Word spread to the congregation just as quickly, and people began to gather. Within the hour hundreds of parishioners, neighbors, and fellow churches in the area knew about the fire. It took the fire department 12 hours to put it out and keep it from spreading to other buildings. By the next morning, everyone in the area counties knew or thought they knew what would happen next. People thought we would fold up and die. They were wrong.
By Tuesday night, a mobile food pantry truck pulled into the parking lot across from the shell of the sanctuary.Between 15-20 people showed up to help distribute food to the needy. Passersby were heard to remark, " I don't get it. Their church is gone, but they are still serving the needy. Don't they know they are the needy?"
My Pastors just smiled. One parishioner said, "We will rebuild the building. But the most important part of a church is still here. The people, that is what is important. Things are just things. But the people are the church and we will remain a church as long as we remember who we serve: Jesus Christ our Lord."
I can testify to that. Through the black plumes of smoke pouring forth from the sanctuary, one sound could be heard, that even the fire in all its rage could not quench, could not even come close to. "What was it?" you ask. It was the fervency of the prayers lifting as incense to the heavens, permeating the air before the throne of God.
And so like the Apostle Paul says in Phillippians 4:11-13, "I have learned in whatever state I am in, to be content. I have learned to be without and to abound that the power of Christ may be fully expressed through my life. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Flexibility+Adaptability=Grace above and beyond what we need. That is the equation of contentment. Grace isn't a one-time offering, it is a continual outpouring of God's Love and Mercy.
Just when you think you can't take one more moment of pain or suffering because the struggle to adapt seems too difficult, that is when "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6, NKJV) God will give you the strength for one more moment, (another 60 seconds, 10 minutes, or 1 hour) at a time. Then when you get through that chunk of time, God will give you the amount of Grace you need for the next chunk and so on.
Life is hard but God's Grace resonates even stronger and will sustain you if, you accept the situation, willing to roll with the punches, instead of bracing yourself against them.
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