"Cow Trails"

Passage: Ephesians 5:15-16  “Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk-not as unwise people but as wise making the most of the time because the days are evil.”

I grew up on a farm.  It was a very small farm but still a farm.  We had at most a couple of milk cows, a horse, chickens and sometimes a other animals.  One of the most interesting things I remember about our farm were the trails made by the cows as they would make their way through the field and up to the barn for daily feeding. 

No matter where the cows were in the field, something in their cow brains would lead them to the “trail” about feeding time.  Over time, the trail became deeper and more pronounced.  If we ever went into the field, we would go ‘by way of’ the cows’ trail because we knew it would be free from stickers and other obstructions. 

The funny thing about the trail was that it was not straight.  It was usually a little curvy and winding.  Something unseen to us caused the cows to make a trail where they did.

Now we have to believe our brains are a little more sophisticated than a cow’s brain.  We do have instincts about many things but are given the ability and responsibility to choose our options. Like the cows, we can continue to walk in the same paths developing habits whether good or bad that make it easier and easier to follow.  If the habits or practices are good that’s wonderful.  If they are harmful to us, that’s a little harder.  Like the scripture in Ephesians says we have to pay careful attention to how we walk.  This is of course not speaking of how we walk (like with good posture, etc.) but rather paying attention to our decisions and thoughts. 

To make the most of our time we have to be deliberate where we walk.  Choosing to make time for Bible reading and prayer will not happen unless we make a habit (trail) of a daily walk.  

Lord, we know our weaknesses and defaults to self lead us down trails of unhappiness and destruction.  Give us wisdom to make wise choices and develop habits that honor You.

"And We Know"

Passage: Romans 8:28  “And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord, for those who are called according to His purpose.”

The above verse is probably one of the best-known scriptures outside of John 3:16.  I know many people have their own 8:28 story.

The first time I can remember this scripture being significant to me was in 1970 after I had been in a car accident.  I was spending that summer working with a local missionary doing Bible schools in rural areas around my home-town.  We were on our way to a school when a car turned into our car and I was hit by the impact.  I had cuts on my face and knee and I could not move my right leg.  Since this was before cell phones, I am not sure how the ambulance was called but before I knew it I was being transported to the local hospital.  My dad showed up not long after I arrived.  I had been pretty brave for a sixteen year old but after seeing dad walk into my ER room I felt it would be all right. 

Without going into all of the details of that summer experience, I remember a hospital visit from the couple I was helping that summer.  They brought me a Bible and shared the verse from Romans 8:28.  The truth of that verse helped me get through surgeries and recovery from the accident but not only that, the truth of Romans 8:28 has carried me over many other experiences of my life. 

While this verse does not say there will be all good things for those who love the Lord many times we think that it does.  When we find ourselves in difficulties we begin to think we don’t deserve this.  We may think that we don’t deserve troubles but the Bible never promises we won’t have difficulty.  The promise is that all things work together for good.  Eventually.  It may be a day or it may be a year or it may be years but God will work it for good.  You can take Him at His Word.

Just as I knew I would be OK after my dad walked into the ER, I know “things” in my life will be OK because of the 8:28 promise. 

Lord, we just don’t know the ways and wonders of Your ways but we believe You can take all of our troubles and somehow in a miraculous way work them all for good.  Thank You for Your Word.

“Small But Significant ”

Passage: Zechariah 4:10  “For who scorns the day of small things?”

I came across this verse few months ago and it has become a favorite of mine.  It seems that most of the time we are looking for the next big thing.  I know I have been guilty of doing that and in so doing I can miss the little things that are huge. 

There have been more opportunities for me this past fall to participate in others’ lives than I have had in the past since I am no longer working outside the home.  While in this stage of transition of life I have been tempted to think I am missing out yet God has given me so many little blessings along the way.   No rush mornings, chaperoning a field trip for Hadley, enjoying a midday walk, having a leisure lunch with Bill and visiting with Kara in the middle of the week are just a few small things.

The birth of the Savior seemed like a very small thing.  Babies were born every day and I’m sure considering the number of people traveling to Bethlehem there could have been other babies born that same night.  So what makes this “small thing” seem so significant? 

Because more than 300 prophecies were fulfilled by this birth. It was prophesied where He would be born, the humble state into which He would be born and that He would be from the line of David.  There was no other birth that the angels heralded and to make sure the shepherds would find Him, they were given instructions He would be found lying in a manger.  These small things would ultimately culminate in the cross and resurrection which brings salvation to all men! 

I’m not a theologian but know that God speaks to me all the time and usually, nearly always it is in a small still voice.  While His voice has never been audible, He speaks loudly through so many things - sunrises, sunsets, the colorful leaves, the icy branches, the smell of sweaty little boys, and a breakfast prepared by a loving granddaughter are evidences of His love. 

Lord, help us to be on the lookout for the small wonders you put in our lives every day.  Help us not to overlook a gift You have given because we want something bigger and better.  Help us to develop a heart of thankfulness.

"Measuring Myself"

Passage: Galatians 2:16  “Yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ.”

There are mostly two types of standardized tests - norm referenced and criterion referenced.  Norm referenced tests (without being too technical) relate to how students measure against others and criterion tests are more likely to compare students to a criterion or standard.  Now before you snore, snore let me share what came to me this morning.

I was a “perfect” (for illustration’s sake) student.  Not that I didn’t make mistakes or perfect scores but I was always after the “A” and even more the “A+”.  I worked hard to measure up to what my teachers wanted or more likely what I thought they wanted.  Even though there was no criterion posted, in my mind I had to achieve the highest mark.

It came to me that most people (maybe everyone) is either comparing themselves to a criterion set in their own mind of what they must achieve (or be) or they compare themselves to others and how they measure up to that perceived standard.

How misaligned are both types of thoughts!  We will never achieve elusive perfection of ourselves in this world nor will we receive satisfaction comparing ourselves to others mainly because we lose ourselves in the comparison!  It struck me God’s Word can be our only criterion.  The Bible tells us the truth about who we are and who we are not. 

As believers, we are spotless, righteous, forgiven, free, chosen, and beloved (to name a few)– not based on our standard but by faith in Jesus.  We are no long condemned, lacking or alone.  I think even though we know those truths, we just struggle with living like it. Yes we are not enough but Jesus is. 

Even though I always wanted to get a good “report card” and to get the right check marks (works well with others, doesn’t run with scissors, etc.), God is teaching me my righteous acts, yes my BEST stuff, can’t achieve what I want it to.  That’s why I need Jesus – that’s why we all need Jesus.  He is the One who is, who was and is to come – the perfect Lamb!

Father, help us to see where we are struggling and striving to please others and ourselves over and above pleasing You. 

“Making a Mess ”

Passage: Luke 15:10  “I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”

As a counselor I always had to start work a few weeks before most of the staff.  I would usually be asked then how ‘school’ was going.  I usually replied “it’s wonderful-the students haven’t started back yet!”  Even though I thought my answer was amusing I had to admit there was a lot of truth in it.  My classroom was so neat and clean.  My files were correct and systematic.  My desk was tidy and orderly.  The tables and chairs were all carefully placed just so and the pencils in my desk all facing the same direction. I am a fervent perfectionist and happy when all is in its place. 

The problem is that a school is not really a school without children and teachers.  They are most essential to the very nature of a school.  And when they are there in their places, things get messed up.  Pencils get lost, chairs get moved around, and things get dirty. 

The analogy goes well with the church.  A church is not a church without people.  The building and the comforts of the building are nice but the very essence of a church is people.  It is not a church without the people!

Sometimes we get a little frustrated because when people come to church, things can get messed up.  Someone may sit where we like to sit.  Someone may have wiggly children (sorry about my grandkids).  Someone may want to talk when we want to run out the door. 

The problem for perfectionists (and others) is that life is about messes.  We can’t keep up the pace of continually straightening pictures and chairs.

I have to remind myself to be around people, messes are inevitable.  The people most changed by Jesus were those who were a mess.  They didn’t have it all together.  Jesus was constantly looking for messes and messy people and since we are his followers, we need to do the same! 

Father, help us at this time of year when in all of the beauty there are also so many messes.  Help us to model your example of unconditional love.