Our culture has become obsessed with Halloween. The hosts on morning newscasts wish everyone a cheery, "Happy Halloween!" The stores feature boundless displays of every conceivable kind of Halloween paraphernalia. In fact, last year, American consumers spent over 350 million dollars on costumes...for their pets! But wait, there's more: experts expect us to spend a staggering 6.9 billion dollars--yes billion--all together on Halloween decorations, costumes, and candy. And we're spending only a paltry 2.1 billion on candy alone.
Oh my stars--have we lost our minds? 350 million on pet costumes? Really? Not that Bingley wouldn't look sensational as Yoda, a Jurassic Park dinosaur, or maybe even a clown.
Now, don't get me wrong. We have tons of happy memories of our children dressing up and then us following them door-to-door on Halloween night to gather enough candy to fuel every marathoner in the country for a year. We love handing out candy and enjoying all the cute and creative costumes. Though, I must say, we never excelled at the creative part--our youngest dressed up as Carolina football or basketball player too many times to count. Sorry, I know that's totally lame, but boy, was it cheap! So yes, we really enjoy Halloween and all the fun for all the kids...and of course, the chocolate. More chocolate is always a good thing.
But seriously, can you believe we're doling out that kind of massive cash on a one evening candy-fest that's, sadly, been often hijacked by the ridiculously creepy, gross, and even terrifying? Do we really need to see masks dripping blood or zombies with decaying flesh? Whatever happened to dressing up as a hobo--my personal and perennial favorite growing up--simply by raiding your daddy's closet for a battered hat, an old, tattered jacket and some charcoal for a mustache and beard? We've come a long way, baby.
Ugh. Okay, okay, I'll get down off my soap box, but can I at least point out that Halloween--way way way back in the day--got it's name from "All Hallow''s Eve?" And All Hallow's Eve got it's name for the distinction of being the eve of All Saints' Day--a day when the Catholic church remembered and celebrated the faithful saints of bygone years.
Then, of course, a little known German priest and professor named Martin Luther, chose that date--October 31, 1517--to nail his 95 theses on the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. His theses were a series of indictments against the rampant corruption in the church. Luther's theses changed everything, as he was advocating a radical call for repentance, a return to God's Word, and a return to the critical belief and truth that our redemption comes through grace alone, in Christ alone. Not through our endless striving and never-enough efforts, but by faith in Jesus' glorious, amazing grace. Praise God!
So yeah, let's enjoy this day and evening of Halloween and eat plenty of candy...assuming it's chocolate, of course--all the rest is a total waste of time and calories in my completely unbiased opinion. But far more importantly, let's redeem Halloween! How?
Well, first by remembering and thanking the Lord for the faithful men and women who've gone on before us. And not just the big-deal saints, but all those we have known and loved who've impacted our lives for Christ: teachers, ministers, parents, friends. And secondly, let's praise the Lord for His beautiful Word that guides us, His wonderful grace that saves us, and His glorious Son, Jesus, who is our glorious Redeemer, Savior and Friend. Now that will make for a very, very happy Halloween indeed!
Thank You, Lord, thank You. To God be the glory.
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Pleasant inns in routine days
Whew. Been a while, hasn't it?
I wish I could say I've been busy inventing the cure to cancer...or traveling around the world with my family...or at least cleaning out every bit of the clutter in our home and giving it all away to folks who could use it (that would be my husband's idea of the greatest day ever. He's often told me the only thing he wants for his birthday is a huge black trash bag...filled with stuff we are giving away. Someday, honey, someday.)
But really, it's just been busy, daily life that has kept me hopping and doing who knows what. Lots of fun stuff like children coming home for the weekend, Parents' Weekend for our college-aged daughter, working on lectures for Bible study, an overnight visit with a couple of our children near Charlotte...and just the small, routine but happy duties of daily life: Helping with homework (thank You, Father, for the gift of a child still at home). Walking the dog on spectacular fall days (thank You, Father, for creating the glories of fall...and the joy of dogs). Eating at good old Cloos or Casa Carbone (thank You, Father, for food, glorious food...and for taste buds and for chocolate--always gotta thank You for that gift!). Doing the laundry (thank You, Father, for clean clothes to wear and for the people I love for whom I can wash them). Carpooling (thank You, Father, for a car that works and for places to go and for the astounding beauty of fall exploding all around us. It's like driving through an art museum filled with masterpieces).
Our neighbor's tree--glory happening right in front of our driveway!
Okay, I'll shut up. But the point? Our seemingly mundane, regular-old-nothing-big-going-on days are, in reality, filled with opportunities to love others, to savor life, and to worship our Lord. Oh my, how often we miss that in the hustle and bustle or the hum drum and routine. I don't ever want to grow calloused to the wonder of the everyday. Each day a new gift to be opened and lived to the glory of God. Oh Father, don't let us fail to open Your gift of this day. Don't let us miss You in the midst of every single moment of this day.
I love how good old C.S. Lewis describes those simple, "routine," but glory-infused moments--as "pleasant inns" along our journey of life. He sends those pleasant inns to refresh us along the way. Just in case you'd like to read it, here are Lewis' words--
"The Christian doctrine of suffering explains, I believe, a very curious fact about the world we live in. The settled happiness and security which we all desire, God withholds from us by the very nature of the world: but joy, pleasure, and merriment, He has scattered broadcast. We are never safe, but we have plenty of fun, and some ecstasy. It is not hard to see why. The security we crave would teach us to rest our hearts in this world and oppose an obstacle to our return to God: a few moments of happy love, a landscape, a symphony, a merry meeting with our friends, a bathe or a football match, have no such tendency. Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home."
Oh how grateful I am for every one of those inns. Don't let us miss them, Lord. Open our eyes and hearts to see You and to savor the inns...and at the same time, to anticipate with great joy that the best is yet to come!
To God be the glory.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
The fair, fall, food...and prayer
A little food for weekend thought--
The annual pilgrimage to the NC State Fair did not disappoint, though, as my husband says, "You're always so happy to arrive...and equally happy to leave." Lots of people, lots of smells, lots of lines, lots of food...lots and lots and lots of food. I have discovered, with great relief, that we are not the only folks who eat our way through the fair...well, eat along with some exhibits thrown in for good measure.
I could go on and on about the fair, as we do love it. After all, what's not to love? It arrives in surely God's best month--October: The air takes on that refreshing coolness; the leaves begin to display their vibrant and best attire; Thanksgiving (hands down my favorite holiday) is right around the corner; the early morning stars shine especially brightly; squirrels busily gather up acorns, and Mr. Bingley happily races after the squirrels; pumpkin-flavored anything and everything is on the menu everywhere (Hallelujah--right there with chocolate as God's best culinary creation!); and our family (or as many of us as we can garner) happily trek to the fair. Oh my, how I love the fall and the fair and the food...especially the food.
Thank You, Lord, for Your creation of the seasons. Thank You for variety and beauty and smells and sights. Thank You for eyes to see Your glory all around us. Thank You for our senses that we might see and smell and touch and hear and taste. And thank You for the gift of prayer that we might come to You, the Giver of all good gifts, and simply say thank You.
When we taste wonderful fall food, when we savor beautiful fall creation, when we enjoy sweet fall fellowship, our first impulse should be one of overwhelming gratitude to the One who has provided us with this rich, wondrous bounty. After all, He crafted the pumpkin...for our pleasure, for His glory. Thank You, Abba.
And that's the beginning of all prayer--worship and gratitude to our Heavenly Father, our Abba, our Daddy. We have the Creator and Sustainer of all this goodness, and we can go to Him at any and every moment to say "Thank You!" And "Please help!" And "Please forgive." And "Please guide." And "Please encourage...empower...enable." The Almighty God of the universe actually wants to hear whatever is on our hearts and minds. Amazing. How can we not go to Him in prayer and thanksgiving?
I loved these words from John Piper on prayer (and food)--
"It is as though God has a favorite food. When we pray, he smells the aroma from the kitchen as you prepare his special dish. When God hungers for some special satisfaction, he seeks out a prayer to answer. Our prayer is the sweet aroma from the kitchen ascending into the King's chambers making him hungry for the meal. But the actual enjoyment of the meal is his own glorious work in answering our prayer. The food of God is to answer our prayers. The most wonderful thing about the Bible is that it reveals a God who satisfies his appetite for joy by answering prayers. He has no deficiency in Himself that He needs to fill up, so He gets His satisfaction by magnifying the glory of His riches by filling up the deficiencies of people who pray.”
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Phil.4:6)
"Pray continually" (I Thess.5:17)
So today, let's pray. Talk to our Heavenly Daddy. Worship our Heavenly Daddy. Thank our Heavenly Daddy. Because He is soooo good and infinitely worthy.
To God be the glory.
The annual pilgrimage to the NC State Fair did not disappoint, though, as my husband says, "You're always so happy to arrive...and equally happy to leave." Lots of people, lots of smells, lots of lines, lots of food...lots and lots and lots of food. I have discovered, with great relief, that we are not the only folks who eat our way through the fair...well, eat along with some exhibits thrown in for good measure.
I could go on and on about the fair, as we do love it. After all, what's not to love? It arrives in surely God's best month--October: The air takes on that refreshing coolness; the leaves begin to display their vibrant and best attire; Thanksgiving (hands down my favorite holiday) is right around the corner; the early morning stars shine especially brightly; squirrels busily gather up acorns, and Mr. Bingley happily races after the squirrels; pumpkin-flavored anything and everything is on the menu everywhere (Hallelujah--right there with chocolate as God's best culinary creation!); and our family (or as many of us as we can garner) happily trek to the fair. Oh my, how I love the fall and the fair and the food...especially the food.
Thank You, Lord, for Your creation of the seasons. Thank You for variety and beauty and smells and sights. Thank You for eyes to see Your glory all around us. Thank You for our senses that we might see and smell and touch and hear and taste. And thank You for the gift of prayer that we might come to You, the Giver of all good gifts, and simply say thank You.
When we taste wonderful fall food, when we savor beautiful fall creation, when we enjoy sweet fall fellowship, our first impulse should be one of overwhelming gratitude to the One who has provided us with this rich, wondrous bounty. After all, He crafted the pumpkin...for our pleasure, for His glory. Thank You, Abba.
And that's the beginning of all prayer--worship and gratitude to our Heavenly Father, our Abba, our Daddy. We have the Creator and Sustainer of all this goodness, and we can go to Him at any and every moment to say "Thank You!" And "Please help!" And "Please forgive." And "Please guide." And "Please encourage...empower...enable." The Almighty God of the universe actually wants to hear whatever is on our hearts and minds. Amazing. How can we not go to Him in prayer and thanksgiving?
I loved these words from John Piper on prayer (and food)--
"It is as though God has a favorite food. When we pray, he smells the aroma from the kitchen as you prepare his special dish. When God hungers for some special satisfaction, he seeks out a prayer to answer. Our prayer is the sweet aroma from the kitchen ascending into the King's chambers making him hungry for the meal. But the actual enjoyment of the meal is his own glorious work in answering our prayer. The food of God is to answer our prayers. The most wonderful thing about the Bible is that it reveals a God who satisfies his appetite for joy by answering prayers. He has no deficiency in Himself that He needs to fill up, so He gets His satisfaction by magnifying the glory of His riches by filling up the deficiencies of people who pray.”
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Phil.4:6)
"Pray continually" (I Thess.5:17)
So today, let's pray. Talk to our Heavenly Daddy. Worship our Heavenly Daddy. Thank our Heavenly Daddy. Because He is soooo good and infinitely worthy.
To God be the glory.
Friday, October 9, 2015
Not just a better place
We have lost another oak of righteousness. Well, we have not lost him for we know exactly where he is...he is simply lost to our sight temporarily. But we rejoice for David Lewis...oh what gain for heaven! This glorious place that we try to imagine, but cannot, grows ever more beautiful and inviting as we see dear friends and family depart our often troubled shores here for the eternal wonders of there. And we have seen many dear ones depart recently.
"These all died in faith not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city." (Heb.11:13-16)
When we were at the beach a few weekends back, I'll never forget one early morning walk. We had arrived the night before, so we hadn't seen the beach...but I hadn't been to the beach in a good, long while, so I was just thrilled to be at the beach, anywhere near the beach!
I started out walking along the road, beach houses on each side. And it was lovely, still a bit dark, and peaceful. The smell of salt air was delicious, the warmth felt perfect, and I listened to some beautiful music and rejoiced in the gift of being there in this lovely place with dear friends. I was having a wonderful time on that quiet little beach road.
But then it occurred to me. I hadn't even seen the ocean. Maybe the beach was wide enough that I could walk by the seashore. So I ventured over one of the public access points, crossed the dunes...
...and was overcome. Undone, really. The sight was so extraordinarily magnificent.
There are simply no words for it. Tears streamed down my face--stunned at the beauty before me.
And this thought immediately came to mind: this is just the tiniest reflection of how much greater heaven is than earth.
Yes, God crafted this gorgeous, amazing planet. Oh my, what a wondrous Creator He is! Just look around and be awed by the One who formed the smallest spider and the largest star. But His creation is not limited to the majesty of the world around us. No, look at the magnificent beauty of the people He's given us. What a priceless gift to love and to be loved! The treasure of dear friends, precious children, beloved husbands and wives, wonderful parents, brothers, and sisters. If you want to see a miracle, look at the person standing next to you--whether in your home or the checkout line at Target. Crafted and beloved by the Almighty. Forgiven and redeemed by the Savior. Yes, each one a miracle. Think how much joy these people have brought to your life--the memories of shared laughter and love and tears, too.
But it all pales in comparison to the endless, unimaginable wonders of heaven. I've heard it said so many times, "They have gone to a better place." I bet I've said it myself.
No, no, no! They have not gone to a better place...they have gone to an infinitely more glorious, wondrous, awesome eternal Home. A home full of people you treasure, places to explore, and most of all, a Savior to enjoy and worship and laugh with and adore forever and ever and ever. We can't imagine it. We simply can't, for it is so beyond anything our minds and hearts can even begin to grasp while we are still earth-bound.
Jonathan Edwards says, "To go to heaven fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows. But the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. These are but streams, but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean."
Amen, amen. The nice, little ocean road was lovely...but the ocean itself was magnificently wonderful! Heaven's not just better...it's the best of the best of the best...multiplied by infinitely!
So to dear David and to so many others who have recently gone to glories unimaginable--we rejoice with you and for you. And while we cry and weep and miss you, we know that you will be a far longer, greater part of our future than you were of our past. Praise Jesus! To God be the glory.
"These all died in faith not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city." (Heb.11:13-16)
When we were at the beach a few weekends back, I'll never forget one early morning walk. We had arrived the night before, so we hadn't seen the beach...but I hadn't been to the beach in a good, long while, so I was just thrilled to be at the beach, anywhere near the beach!
I started out walking along the road, beach houses on each side. And it was lovely, still a bit dark, and peaceful. The smell of salt air was delicious, the warmth felt perfect, and I listened to some beautiful music and rejoiced in the gift of being there in this lovely place with dear friends. I was having a wonderful time on that quiet little beach road.
But then it occurred to me. I hadn't even seen the ocean. Maybe the beach was wide enough that I could walk by the seashore. So I ventured over one of the public access points, crossed the dunes...
...and was overcome. Undone, really. The sight was so extraordinarily magnificent.
And this thought immediately came to mind: this is just the tiniest reflection of how much greater heaven is than earth.
Yes, God crafted this gorgeous, amazing planet. Oh my, what a wondrous Creator He is! Just look around and be awed by the One who formed the smallest spider and the largest star. But His creation is not limited to the majesty of the world around us. No, look at the magnificent beauty of the people He's given us. What a priceless gift to love and to be loved! The treasure of dear friends, precious children, beloved husbands and wives, wonderful parents, brothers, and sisters. If you want to see a miracle, look at the person standing next to you--whether in your home or the checkout line at Target. Crafted and beloved by the Almighty. Forgiven and redeemed by the Savior. Yes, each one a miracle. Think how much joy these people have brought to your life--the memories of shared laughter and love and tears, too.
But it all pales in comparison to the endless, unimaginable wonders of heaven. I've heard it said so many times, "They have gone to a better place." I bet I've said it myself.
No, no, no! They have not gone to a better place...they have gone to an infinitely more glorious, wondrous, awesome eternal Home. A home full of people you treasure, places to explore, and most of all, a Savior to enjoy and worship and laugh with and adore forever and ever and ever. We can't imagine it. We simply can't, for it is so beyond anything our minds and hearts can even begin to grasp while we are still earth-bound.
Jonathan Edwards says, "To go to heaven fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows. But the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. These are but streams, but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean."
Amen, amen. The nice, little ocean road was lovely...but the ocean itself was magnificently wonderful! Heaven's not just better...it's the best of the best of the best...multiplied by infinitely!
So to dear David and to so many others who have recently gone to glories unimaginable--we rejoice with you and for you. And while we cry and weep and miss you, we know that you will be a far longer, greater part of our future than you were of our past. Praise Jesus! To God be the glory.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
A simple thank you for sun
Oh the simple, happy moments of life: sitting outside in the sun--yes, I said the SUN--with Mr. Bingley.
After all the rain, drizzle, grey, and more rain, that first glimpse this morning of the beautiful blue sky brought joy almost unimaginable. Such a simple, daily reality, right? The blue sky. The warmth of the sun. Every morning, God graciously gives us a new day and causes the sun to rise once more...yet we just go our merry way and take it all for granted. Hardly a glance at the sky or a prayer of thanks for the illumination.
Well, until today. Nearly everyone I passed had a smile on their faces for the sheer wonder of the sun...the sky...the beauty of fall no longer hidden and blanketed under the relentless grey rain.
So nothing profound--just gratitude for the extraordinary blessings of our great God's creation. Thankful for the gift of breathing cool, clean air. For laughter with friends at Bible study. For the shrill cry of the hawk as Mr.B and I sat outside. For the peace of reading God's Word. For the sound of your child's voice on the phone. For the glorious warmth of the sun on my face. For the crunchy bright taste of a big old salad...and the sweet smooth delight of chocolate cake. For the sound of the wind blowing through the trees. For the fun of belting out a song in your car (and hoping no one is watching). For the happy remembrance of love and life shared with dear friends and family. For a steaming hot bath at the end of the day...and a good book in bed.
Some days require a bit--or a lot--of slogging. Of hanging in there and knowing tomorrow will be better. Of believing that even on those kinds of days, God is working and moving in wonderful ways you cannot see and do not know. Because He is. He always is.
But then there are days like today. When the sheer joy of being alive on this planet and knowing you are loved by the God of the universe simply knocks your socks off. And you want to sing and dance in the sun and breathe deep and laugh hard and love well.
And so all I can say is, thank You, Father. Thank You for each day. Each day of rain and of sun. Thank You for the gift of life. Thank You for people to love, for work to do, for beauty to savor. I'm reminded of the words of Henry Van Dyke: "Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look at the stars."
Yes, Lord, thank You. Might we live this and everyday for Your glory and by Your grace.
To God be the glory.
After all the rain, drizzle, grey, and more rain, that first glimpse this morning of the beautiful blue sky brought joy almost unimaginable. Such a simple, daily reality, right? The blue sky. The warmth of the sun. Every morning, God graciously gives us a new day and causes the sun to rise once more...yet we just go our merry way and take it all for granted. Hardly a glance at the sky or a prayer of thanks for the illumination.
Well, until today. Nearly everyone I passed had a smile on their faces for the sheer wonder of the sun...the sky...the beauty of fall no longer hidden and blanketed under the relentless grey rain.
So nothing profound--just gratitude for the extraordinary blessings of our great God's creation. Thankful for the gift of breathing cool, clean air. For laughter with friends at Bible study. For the shrill cry of the hawk as Mr.B and I sat outside. For the peace of reading God's Word. For the sound of your child's voice on the phone. For the glorious warmth of the sun on my face. For the crunchy bright taste of a big old salad...and the sweet smooth delight of chocolate cake. For the sound of the wind blowing through the trees. For the fun of belting out a song in your car (and hoping no one is watching). For the happy remembrance of love and life shared with dear friends and family. For a steaming hot bath at the end of the day...and a good book in bed.
Some days require a bit--or a lot--of slogging. Of hanging in there and knowing tomorrow will be better. Of believing that even on those kinds of days, God is working and moving in wonderful ways you cannot see and do not know. Because He is. He always is.
But then there are days like today. When the sheer joy of being alive on this planet and knowing you are loved by the God of the universe simply knocks your socks off. And you want to sing and dance in the sun and breathe deep and laugh hard and love well.
And so all I can say is, thank You, Father. Thank You for each day. Each day of rain and of sun. Thank You for the gift of life. Thank You for people to love, for work to do, for beauty to savor. I'm reminded of the words of Henry Van Dyke: "Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look at the stars."
Yes, Lord, thank You. Might we live this and everyday for Your glory and by Your grace.
To God be the glory.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Rain, more rain...and the Son
Well, we're going on who-knows-how-many days in a row of rain and yuck here in Raleigh (and elsewhere in the south). Goodness gracious, I know the sun is up there somewhere, hidden behind all these clouds and drizzle and grey. And someday, some Lord-willing-not-too-distant day, that sun will reappear in all it's blazing glory and start to dry us out and cheer us up.
Funny, isn't it, how the weather can get you downhearted and dispirited.
Seriously, the weather?
Are we really going to allow the fickle weather to dictate our level of contentment? Yet truth be told, how often do we allow such relative superficialities rob us of the joy and satisfaction Christ longs for us to enjoy continually in Him.
Jesus died and rose from the dead to give us eternal life. He lives to intercede for us. He will never ever leave us nor forsake us. His Word--chock full of His never-failing promises--is always available to renew and revive us. His Holy Spirit resides within us to equip, encourage, and empower us every moment of every day...
How on earth can we allow some rain or clouds or disappointment or frustration to steal our overwhelming hope and joy in Him?
Nope, not gonna happen. Not this day. Time to do a little preaching to yourself....because nobody preaches to you more than you! What are you preaching? Truth or lies? Encouragement or discouragement? Hope fueled by His promises or despair based on worldly passions?
Time to preach to yourself the Truth of the gospel rather than simply give in to your transient emotions and perceptions. You--yes, you--need to be both preacher and congregation!
That sun is up there right now, shining in the heavens, just as surely as night turns to day...just because we can't see it, doesn't mean it's not there. So, too, the perfect Son of God is shining and loving and forgiving and controlling in all His radiant glory. Even when you can't see Him or feel Him...He's there. Fully and faithfully in control. Holding all things together by the word of His power.
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." (Col.1:15-17)
All things. All things good and bad. All things joyous and sorrowful. All things wonderful and tragic--they are all, all, all under His sovereign, loving control. And He's promised He's using and working every single tremendous and tiny thing in our lives for our ultimate good and His greater glory. (Rom.8:28)
Even the weather. Even whatever hard, dark, confusing thing you might be enduring right at this moment.
Trust Him. The Son is there, just as surely as the sun is behind those clouds.
To God be the glory.
Funny, isn't it, how the weather can get you downhearted and dispirited.
Seriously, the weather?
Are we really going to allow the fickle weather to dictate our level of contentment? Yet truth be told, how often do we allow such relative superficialities rob us of the joy and satisfaction Christ longs for us to enjoy continually in Him.
Jesus died and rose from the dead to give us eternal life. He lives to intercede for us. He will never ever leave us nor forsake us. His Word--chock full of His never-failing promises--is always available to renew and revive us. His Holy Spirit resides within us to equip, encourage, and empower us every moment of every day...
How on earth can we allow some rain or clouds or disappointment or frustration to steal our overwhelming hope and joy in Him?
Nope, not gonna happen. Not this day. Time to do a little preaching to yourself....because nobody preaches to you more than you! What are you preaching? Truth or lies? Encouragement or discouragement? Hope fueled by His promises or despair based on worldly passions?
Time to preach to yourself the Truth of the gospel rather than simply give in to your transient emotions and perceptions. You--yes, you--need to be both preacher and congregation!
That sun is up there right now, shining in the heavens, just as surely as night turns to day...just because we can't see it, doesn't mean it's not there. So, too, the perfect Son of God is shining and loving and forgiving and controlling in all His radiant glory. Even when you can't see Him or feel Him...He's there. Fully and faithfully in control. Holding all things together by the word of His power.
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." (Col.1:15-17)
All things. All things good and bad. All things joyous and sorrowful. All things wonderful and tragic--they are all, all, all under His sovereign, loving control. And He's promised He's using and working every single tremendous and tiny thing in our lives for our ultimate good and His greater glory. (Rom.8:28)
Even the weather. Even whatever hard, dark, confusing thing you might be enduring right at this moment.
Trust Him. The Son is there, just as surely as the sun is behind those clouds.
To God be the glory.
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