Fleeting Shadows

Lord, what are human beings that you care for them,
    mere mortals that you think of them?
They are like a breath;
    their days are like a fleeting shadow
Psalm 144:3-4 NIV

We are most blessed! Why, indeed, would the Lord care for us? We strut about like we are the center of the universe and nothing and no one else matters.

Yet, we matter to the Lord. His love and concern for us is so great that he was willing to die for us.

We fail to recognize that our lives are like fleeting shadows upon the earth. We are here one day and gone the next. Only the most prominent of men will be remembered centuries from now. In the end; by ourselves, we are of little consequence to the world. But, in Christ and with Christ we have hope for ourselves and for others.

Our lives in this world might be like fleeting shadows; but, all who abide in Christ receive eternal life with him. We are most blessed! The Lord, indeed, cares for us; enough to die that we might live.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Song of Songs 7 - Love And Lust Not The Same Thing

Ahhh! Love! Or is it lust? Whatever, it is, they are filled with desire for one another. The woman responds to her love: "I belong to my beloved, and his desire is for me." (Song of Songs 7:10 NIV)

The Church responds to our beloved, "LORD: I belong to you. I give myself completely to you." That is, the Church (the spouse) does this. But, not all of the church abandons its whole life to our beloved LORD. This gives me a good opportunity to attempt to explain, in a few words, the difference between church and Church. The Church is the Body of Christ, all who believe, in heaven and on earth. The church, with a little c, is the visible church on earth. Sadly, the church on earth includes many who do not believe, many who have not surrendered themselves to love of God and to loving the LORD, God above all others.

As in any relationship, if we truly love, then we will trust our very lives in the hands of the other. We are willing to give our all to be in that relationship. Total commitment....

I have said it before and I think it bears repeating. Love and lust are not the same thing.  Love is eternal. It does not end. Lust is fleeting. Lust will pass.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ecclesiastes 6 - Stop and Smell the Roses

All those possessions and not able to enjoy them! Work, work, work in order to have all kinds of stuff to impress others, yet you have no time or energy left to enjoy life with family or friends. How meaningless is that?

Our days pass through like a fleeting shadow. Yes, you must work so that you can provide for your family. If your work is as it should be, to glorify God, you might even enjoy your labor. Imagine that - enjoying what you do! It is possible!

But, get rid of the shadow that is cast by greed and undisciplined desire and let the Son shine in and through you. Make sure you take the time to enjoy your family. Spend time with them - really be with them. Your money will go away when you die. It will do you no good, except maybe to buy a fancier coffin than your neighbor. And... what  memories of you will be left to your family when you are gone? Will they be good? Will the people you leave behind have memories of the joy that was found in your presence?

Being prosperous is not a bad thing. It can even be a good thing. Just remember to take time to enjoy those things you have worked for so hard with those who love you. As the saying goes: "Stop and smell the roses!"

God's Peace - Pr. J