A Peaceful Perspective

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

Do you sometimes feel there’s too much noise, too much traffic, and too many demands? I can’t speak for readers in other parts of the country, but life is pretty hectic in North Jersey. On the other hand, if you live on planet Earth, it doesn’t matter whether you’re in the suburbs or the city, farming in a valley or living in hill country, turmoil will find you.

Sickness comes, debts mount, hatred invades, and opinions assault. Sin infects wherever people are found. Jesus not only knew this but experienced it, which is why His words carry weight.

He told His disciples they were about to face deeply challenging events, but they could find peace in Him. He added, “In this world you will have trouble.” That is not a maybe, but a certainty, and would sound pessimistic if He hadn’t added this clincher: “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

 Jesus knew experientially what we can only imagine. Pain and sadness, loss and confusion, hatred and desertion—all will pass. The sorrows of this life are temporary.

We can endure what is temporary—a seedy hotel when it’s only one night, the pain of surgery when it promises relief, and tense conversations when the end is in sight. When we grasp the reality that all of life is temporary, we experience God’s peace!

Our future extends beyond what we see and feel. Anticipate the future and have peace.   

A Change in Perspective

~ Barbara ~ 1 Comment

I read these words by Charles Spurgeon and couldn’t resist sharing them:

Life is longing, sighing, crying, wasting away, and desiring.

Heaven is enjoying, possessing, and delighting one’s self in God.

Life is failure, disappointment, and regret.

These emotions are over when death comes,  

For glory dawns with satisfaction and intense contentment.*

Much of our thought life is consumed with the present and its problems. Our emotions long for something better, but our eyes watch the surrounding turmoil and see life wasting away. Disappointments mount and regrets haunt. There’s a better way to live, better thoughts to entertain.

What if we didn’t focus on the next week or next year, but on our eternal future? What if our minds rehearsed Jesus’ promise of a perfect tomorrow, and we began to assimilate that truth into our hearts?

Our perspective will change, and we’ll see joy increase, hope blossom, and anticipation grow. Glory will dawn “with satisfaction and intense contentment.”

My peace swells, and the world seems brighter when I read those words!

*Charles H. Spurgeon, Beside Still Waters, p 222.

Wisdom’s Counsel

~ Barbara ~ 1 Comment

I loved reading the first nine chapters of Proverbs…and then came the remaining 22! The lists of insights, warnings, and wise sayings seemed repetitive, but I held fast and something changed. I began looking forward to my daily reading. I felt like I was making deposits of wisdom into the bank of my heart. Here are a few gleanings I hold precious.

  • Store up God’s Word—keep adding to what you already know.
  • Be attentive, listen—ask the Spirit to teach you and wait for His wisdom
  • Desire understanding—embrace curiosity and maintain an inquisitive heart.
  • Search for insight—don’t be content with partial truth, be hungry for more.
  • Treasure wisdom—make it your chief desire and your greatest joy.

I want to understand God, His will, and His ways.

I want the victory wisdom promises.

I want protection from the seduction of evil.

I want counsel that gives me discretion and understanding.

I want to wear wisdom as an ornament of grace.

I want to trust God’s wisdom to direct me to straight paths that are not convoluted.

I want to watch and wait for His rewards.

I want a child’s heart of wonder that always has room for more.

Selah!

Wisdom’s Caution

~ Barbara ~ 1 Comment

God cares, as any good parent does. When our children mature into adults, we pull back to give them space to make their own decisions, but we remain near, hoping their choices reflect the wisdom we lovingly wove into their young lives. It wouldn’t be appropriate or wise for us to dictate our wishes for them or push them into molds we envision for them. But we never stop caring. Our love is too strong, our attachments too deep. That is God’s position with us.

He points out our choices, noting what wisdom or foolishness they offer. And He cautions us, just as we caution our children. For example,

  • “Fear of the Lord [faith] is the foundation of true knowledge,” to despise it is foolish. Choose faith; don’t reject it. (Prov. 1:7)
  • Sin will always entice and appeal to our FOMO. Don’t give in! (Prov. 1:10, 19)

Wisdom offers clarity and understanding, truth and light. She gives our lives meaning and direction. Folly offers glitz and deception, temporary gratification and emptiness. His invitations are hollow and always deplete us.

Proverbs tells us to embrace wisdom. Store it up. Listen to her with your ears and your heart. Don’t just cry out for insight, search for it. Your reward will be victory, protection, and prudence. “Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.” (Prov. 2:1-9)

God is not less of a parent than we are. He directs and warns but doesn’t force us. His cautions are born from love. He has the advantage of seeing the end from the beginning. We would do well to seek Him and discover the path to unimaginable blessing.