Category: allegories, analogies, and parables

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 17 The Net

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parables, UncategorizedLeave a comment

My heart dropped at the sight of the dead fish laying on the rocks outside the pond. How did it get there? There was no way it could jump high enough to clear the sides of the pond. It must have been carried there. What could do that to a fish? I had never seen a possum or raccoon in my yard in the three years I’ve lived here so I doubt it was one  of them. A toad might try to eat one but wouldn’t be able to jump up out of the pond with one in its mouth. Even if it did, it wouldn’t just leave it once it started eating it. It had to be a bird. One of the many that live around the area, many of which eat fish.

I imagined a bird swooping down, grabbing a fish, and then accidently dropping it as it flew away. No way was that going to happen again, not if I can help it. I don’t care that other people say it’s just the circle of life and that if I want a pond with fish, I should let nature take its course. My heart is for my fish. They didn’t ask to be easy prey contained in my small pond. I’m the one who set them there. And I’m going to protect them.

I grieved for the lifeless fish in my hand. It had survived two winters under snow and ice, two hot summers when the water temperature rose to bath water temp, the recent traumatizing chase and capture in a net, and a temporary stay in a plastic tub. And now it was dead. Captured by the enemy. Dropped and forgotten. I buried it in my raised garden bed. At least it’s death is not wasted. And then I covered my pond with a large net. It may not look as pretty, but it’s much safer for my fish.

God chose the Israelites to be His. With the call of Abraham, He set them in place. His heart was for His people and He protected them.  There were other nations, but this is the one He focused on.

The Bible talks about people being protected under the shadow of God’s wings. Birds have wings. Angels have wings. Somehow I don’t think God actually has wings, although I could be wrong. I think God was using the same imagery Jesus used when He cried over Jerusalem.  “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! Matthew 23:37

No one likes to be confined. We all long for freedom, which is what God created in us when He created Adam. The Bible doesn’t explicitly say that but it seems if Adam and Eve were told to go forth and dominate the world, that that was a lot of freedom. But sin entered the world and through disobedience Adam and Eve lost that freedom. There was an enemy now that wanted them and their offspring dead. And so God set His wings over the Israelites just like I set a net over my fish pond. As long as the Israelites stayed where He set them by loving and obeying Him, they were safe. But if they strayed out from under it through disobedience, they were easy prey for those who sought to harm them.

The net is not pretty. It was not what I wanted for my pond. But it is necessary at this time.

God’s laws may feel confining. They may not be what He wanted for mankind. But they are necessary at this time.

Instead of complaining about His commandments, maybe we should thank Him for setting His heart on us and protecting us from things we can’t see.

Scriptures:

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.  If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rule, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.  But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess.  I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.” Deuteronomy 30:15-20

How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light. Psalm 36:7-9

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Genesis 1:26

Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. Yet the LORD set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day. Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. Deuteronomy 10:14-16

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundations of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him, in love. Ephesians 1:3-4

“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. Psalm 91:14

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 16 – Watching

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

One day I stood next to my pond, quietly admiring the parts that were finished. The flowers were growing well and blooming. The tadpoles were swimming from one underwater rock to another as my shadow fell on them. The fish were happily devouring the fish food flakes I had just scattered. The burbling waterfall was mesmerizing as it splashed over rocks. It was a world of its own pretty much oblivious to me except for the occasional shadow and tossed food.

Suddenly my eyes landed on eyes looking back at me. Large eyes, unblinking, focused completely on me. A toad had somehow looked outside his world into my world. With wonder, I took out my phone. After snapping his picture, I let my eyes continued drifting across the pond but they kept going back to this toad. What was it thinking as it watched me watch him? There was no way he could understand me or my world, but his look acknowledged my existence. I wanted to reach down and gently pick him up between my hands to bring him closer to me. I wanted to give him something although I didn’t know what. Even if I tried, it would only scare him. And so I watched as he watched until eventually I had to go.

Bye, little toad. Thank you for this moment, a moment I won’t forget.

Most people in this world are like the fish and tadpoles – living in their own world with little or no thought to the One who provided it for them. Some of those people may acknowledge a god of some sort, but few take the time to actually look at the one true God. Yet God loves them and enjoys them like I do my pond.

However, unlike my accidental notice of the toad looking at me, God is actively searching for those who are looking at Him. And when He finds them, He makes promises that He makes to no one else.

The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. Psalm 14:2

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. 1 Chronicles 16:9a

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 1 Peter 3:12

The toad sat without moving the whole time I was there. How often do we still ourselves to look at God? Really look at Him? How often do we focus on what He is doing in this world?

Whereas the toad merely looked, we can do more. We can choose to put our faith in God. We can choose to follow Him, serve Him, love Him. And we have a capability that no toad has. We can communicate with the One we are watching.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. James 4:8a

Are most of our days spent on our own interests and needs? Are we too busy with our own lives to pay more than a glance at our Creator like the tadpoles did with me? Are we only focused on what He gives us like the goldfish when I fed them? Or do we take time to sit still like the toad and acknowledge our Creator?

Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10a

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 15 – The Bridge

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

I thought deciding which bridge to get for my small backyard pond was the hard part. It took days of searching online websites, viewing photos of bridges, and reading many reviews before I settled on the one I bought. Whew. Now all I had to do was build it and set it in place.

Wrong.

Building it was easy enough because it came as a kit with all holes predrilled. But setting in place is when the nightmare started.

The bridge was unstable. It rocked from side to side and creaked as we stepped on it. I visualized how easy it would be to tip over the bridge if we leaned over the railing to look at the fish. And I could just see my foot crashing through the thin floor slats as I got to the middle.

We removed the bridge and added some support boards to the underside. Then we put the bridge back in place. The creaking stopped but the rocking did not.

We removed the bridge again, build a sturdier foundation for each end, replaced the bridge making sure that both ends were securely set on the foundations, and then stepped on it. No creaking. No rocking. Success! Or so we thought. As soon as I approached the center, the bridge began to rock. I quickly backed off.

We removed the bridge again and I spent the next day or so researching how to stop bridges from rocking. It turned out that our foundation was not the problem. The bridge was. The bridge was made of fir – a soft wood. No matter how secure we made the ends, the wood was just not strong enough to stabilize the center. And the railings, made of the same wood, were not strong enough to handle anyone’s weight when leaned on.

So I added metal L brackets to the bottom of the railing posts, I painted and placed two 4×6 pieces of wood across the pond. My husband and I set the bridge on them. No creaking, no rocking. But when I stepped near the railing to look at the fish, the bridge threatened to tip over.

Determined that this bridge was not going to defeat us, we got the drill and some very long screws and secured the bridge to the 4×6 boards in ten places.

Success! No creaking. No rocking. No tipping. The railings could still break with enough weight on them, but the bridge itself was now safe to use.

I have heard all my Christian life about the need for a firm foundation and that Jesus is our firm foundation. But what I haven’t heard as much about is the importance of quality of what we build on that foundation. Jesus said that the wise man built his house upon the rock and when the rains came, the house stood because it was founded on the rock. The part that is not said as much in Christian settings is what Jesus said just before that. “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like the wise man…” (Matthew 7:24)  Just before that He had given what we refer to as the Sermon on the Mount. So “these words of mine” that we are to do refer back to the Sermon on the Mount.

  • Be meek, humble, pure of heart, peacemakers, salt, light, righteous, reconciled to others
  • Do not divorce, swear oaths, retaliate, be showy in religious activity, judge unrighteously, be anxious about anything
  • Crave righteousness, pray and fast in secret, pursue spiritual treasure over monetary riches, give to those who ask (or demand), treat others as you would want to be treated, go through the narrow gate, remove whatever causes you to sin no matter how painful.
  • Expect and be glad when persecuted and treated wrongly because of Jesus, love your enemies (means to be good to them), beware false prophets

How many of “these words of mine” that we are to “hear and do” are we actually hearing and doing? I would say the number of the things listed above that we are doing (living) determines how strong our house is. I know Christians whose lives reflect almost all of them. And I know Christians whose lives reflect very little of them. I have also seen how strong they are or how much they crumble when storms arrive.

Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount with a warning. Not everyone who calls Him Lord will enter heaven. Hearing what He says, even preaching what He says is not enough. We have to be doers of what He says.

This is not working for our salvation. Both the wise and the foolish man built houses. The difference was their foundation. The wise man built on the rock, the foolish man didn’t. The Rock is what saves us. Paul (in 1 Corinthians 3) and James (in James 2) both address this.

Bottom line: The strength of the materials we use affects how well our bridge works, but no matter how strong we make the materials, they will not be secure until fastened into  the foundation. Just resting the bridge on the foundation is not good enough. Screwing the bridge into the foundation is making a commitment. There is no moving the bridge once it’s been secured down. The bigger the screws, the deeper the commitment.

We need to do – not just hear or agree with – what Jesus says, but we need to do so with our faith fastened deeply in Him. He is essential and He comes first. Always.

Scriptures:

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matt 7:21

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good[b] is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.  James 2:14-18

11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 1 Cor 3:11-15

For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God but the doers of the law who will be justified. Romans 2:13

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22

The Sermon on the Mount

5 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

The Beatitudes

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[b] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Christ Came to Fulfill the Law

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Anger

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother[c] will be liable to judgment; whoever insults[d] his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell[e] of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.[f]

Lust

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Divorce

31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths

33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.[g]

Retaliation

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic,[h] let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Love Your Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers,[i] what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

The Lord’s Prayer

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.[a]
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,[b]
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,[c]
12 and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.[d]

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Fasting

16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[e] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.[f]

Do Not Be Anxious

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[g] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

7 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

Ask, and It Will Be Given

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

The Golden Rule

12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy[a] that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

A Tree and Its Fruit

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

I Never Knew You

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

The Authority of Jesus

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

The Deadly Barcode

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

By AJ and Didi

Once upon a time there was a barcode walking through town. And then he saw an exclamation point. Exclamation Point walked up to Bar Code until he was three inches from him and stared and stared at him. And then Exclamation Point fainted. The whole town stared in horror.

The next day Bar Code saw a period. Period walked up to Bar Code until he was three inches away and stared and stared at him. And then Period fainted. The whole town stared in horror.

On the third day Bar Code saw a question mark. Question Mark walked up to Bar Code until he was three inches away and stared and stared at him. And then Question Mark fainted. The whole town stared in horror.

On the fourth day Bar Code met a comma. Comma walked up to Bar Code until he was three inches away and stared and stared at him. And then Comma fainted. The whole town stared in horror.

This continued to happen for a whole month.  And then the whole town started calling him the Deadly Bar Code.

So don’t stare and stare at a bar code or else your town will stare in horror at you.

At first glance as AJ dictated her story to me, it seemed to make no sense. Just a fun imaginative story from a seven-year-old. But then my spiritual ears perked up. There was something of value in this story. A spiritual nugget of truth and a warning.

What if we replaced “bar code” with “sin”? Then the story would be about sin moving through a group of believers. Someone approaches the sin and looks at it at length (stares) which eventually ends in disaster (death). The rest of the people are then filled with the fear of the Lord (horror).

 Consider the case of Ananias and Sapphira.

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.  Acts 5:1-5

This is not the only example we have.

Eve drew close to the serpent and focused on (stared at) the fruit. So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6

Achan drew near and considered (stared at) the forbidden things at the fall of Jericho. “when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath.” Joshua 7:21

David’s heart drew near and longed for (stared at) Bathsheba when she was bathing. Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. 2 Samuel 11:2

In each case, a glance became a stare which led to coveting and then a sinful act. And in each case, those who saw it were horrified by the result of the sin.

The moral of this story is found in the words of a children’s song: be careful little eyes what you see. There’s no telling how many times Eve may have glanced at the fruit before that day, but on that day her glance became a stare which led to coveting and then to sinful disobedience. Achan and David followed the same pattern in their own temptations. Most of the time we can’t control what we glimpse, but we can control what we allow our minds to dwell on. Jesus said if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. He didn’t mean to literally remove your eye, but the warning is clear. Don’t stare at sin.

Scriptures:

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

For the wages of sin is death Romans 6:23a

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6

And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city. And the city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the Lord for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent. But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it. But all silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord. Joshua 6:16-19

But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel. Joshua 7:1

 “when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath.” Joshua 7:21

Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. 2 Samuel 11:2

I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin? Job 31:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 13 – The Unexpected

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

Really? A freeze this far into spring? I knew the possibility existed but I had begun planting flowers as if it only existed in the minds of the forecasters. Coming from Florida not too many years ago, I still have trouble thinking in terms of Virginia seasons. And so I had been happily adding much needed color to my fish pond. Now all my work was threatened by something I couldn’t see nor control.

I looked at the freeze warning on my phone again. Maybe freeze warnings here were like hurricane warnings in my part of Florida – a lot of hype that tended to dwindle out by landfall. Well, there was that one hurricane about seven years ago that was worse than predicted. But that was very unusual. Most of the time hurricanes were just thunderstorms that quickly passed. If freeze warnings here were the same as hurricane warnings there, then my garden and I had nothing to worry about.

Besides, it had been hot – in the eighties – for several days. Surely the temperature couldn’t drop over fifty degrees in one day. Maybe I could ignore the forecast and just continue doing what I have been doing. But thoughts of the plants I had lost to freezing temps my first year here came to mind. If I ignored these new warnings, more plants could die.

Groaning with frustration, I went outside. Everything looked so pretty in the warm bright sunshine. The leaves were a nice deep green and some of the plants were beginning to flower. Moving them would probably affect their growth, and there were so many of them. It would take numerous trips with the wagon to get them to the greenhouse, and they might not all even fit inside. Maybe if I just threw a blanket on them, they would not all have to be moved. That’s what I had done in Florida when it got cold. But if I was wrong, all my beautiful flowers would die. My unbelief and laziness would kill them just as much as the cold temperature.

Choosing safety over sorrow, I began transferring the new plants back into pots, loaded them on to my wagon and walked the twenty yards to the greenhouse.  I put the water plants in plastic tubs with several inches of water and strained to lift it into the wagon before sloshing my way across the yard. It eventually took almost a dozen trips to get everything into the greenhouse and by the time I latched the door closed, my knee was aching. It was time to go inside, ice my knee, and trust that I had done all I could. The rest was up to nature.

Just as my progress in my garden was disrupted by the freeze, our lives can be disrupted by events that we can’t control. A car accident can put us in the hospital. A stolen identity can empty our bank account. A misunderstanding can destroy a relationship. Cancer can challenge our perseverance. The death of a child can send us into a pain-filled depression from which we see no way out.

Unlike the freeze warning that went out, there is usually no alert that our life is about to change. One day all is well and we’re fussing about frizzy hair – the next we wish we had hair. There are no life-radars to alert us to an approaching disaster. But we do have the Bible, which has a lot to say about navigating life’s storms.

Before a storm

When things are going well, we might want to either ignore any thoughts of possible disasters or to live in worry that something could happen at any moment. Jesus told His disciples not to worry but to watch and pray. Paul said to be watchful and pray continuously. Peter said to be watchful, sober, and self-controlled for the sake of our prayers. In the Old Testament, David said to stay near God and seek Him as refuge. The word s ‘watch’ and ‘pray’ occur many times throughout the Bible. That means it’s important that we avoid complacency. We need to keep watch for danger (like scams and unhealthy food), stay alert (use discernment and be open to hear from God), and stay sober (self-disciplined and eyes focused on Jesus). We need to pray always, stay close to God, and make Him our refuge at all times – in both good and bad times.

During the storm

When things get rough, we may be tempted to throw a bunch of prayers, like a blanket, at the problems and hope it’s enough. We may plead with God out of desperation like the disciples did when their boat was caught in a storm. We may sink under the waves like Jonah did hoping God save us. We may get angry and fight the gale winds. But in each case, our eyes are on the wrong thing. The Bible tells us to run to Jesus and let Him handle it. David tells us to seek refuge in God’s presence. God says to trust His promises and to wait on Him. We need to keep our focus on God – on who He is and what He has promised. We need to be patient with both the situation and its impact on us and those we love.

After a storm

When things calm down both inside and outside of us, we can rejoice and watch for God to keep His promises to comfort, heal and restore. We will discover that we have been made stronger and wiser as God used what went through to transform us into the image of Jesus.

Back in Virginia, the freeze did come and I was glad that my plants, crowded as they were in my greenhouse, were safe. Once the weather warms up again, I will be able to restore them to their places in or near the pond. Until then, I will turn my thoughts towards God, wait patiently for the weather to change, and spend my time doing what I can do, which may or may not include cleaning my neglected house.

(Many) Scriptures:

Before a storm:

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Ephesians 6:18

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, Jude 1:20

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 1 Peter 4:7

You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:8

He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7

During the storm:

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12

And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. Hebrews 6:15

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has be poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

Wait for the Lord, be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. James 5:13a

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:14-16

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah. Psalm 61:4

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah Psalm 62:8

Bur for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge that I may tell of all your works. Psalm 73:28

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Proverbs 30:5

In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. Proverbs 14:26

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. Nahum 1:7

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18

This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. Psalm 119:50

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul take refuge, in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. Psalm 57:1

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love will not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundation with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones. Isaiah 54:10-12

After the storm:

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10

But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and refuge in the day of my distress. Psalm 59:16

The Lord sustains him on his sickbed, in his illness you restore him to full health. Psalm 41:3

You will increase my greatness and comfort me again. Psalm 71:21

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted. Isaiah 49:13

For the Lord comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song. Isaiah 51:3

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:3

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 11 – Growing in Unexpected Places

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

It doesn’t make any sense. A dianthus flower should be planted in good soil, not growing in the water. All the books that I have read say that its roots will rot in too much water. However, my dianthus is doing fine.

This goes to show that we can’t believe everything the world tells us.

God sometimes plants us in places that don’t make sense or are contrary to our learned understanding of what we need in order to grow well. It’s okay. We can trust that He has a purpose no matter how unlikely the environment. If we keep our roots in the living water of His Spirit, we will flourish.

Scriptures:

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, Psalm 92:12-14

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. Revelation 22:1

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 10 – The Mess

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

I stood up from the side of the pond and stretched my back. I thought laying rocks around the edge of the pond to hide the lining would be easy compared to what I had already accomplished. But no. This was like doing a jigsaw puzzle – except with very large, heavy pieces. I had to find rocks that fit together, and they had to look natural. That meant choosing different sizes, textures, and colors and finding ways to arrange them to cover every inch of the lining without it looking like they were covering every inch of a lining.

I had just reached a spot that required a large rock with a particular shape that I knew I had. As I stood, I looked around. Now, where did I see it last? Tubs were holding water plants until the bog pond was ready for them. Tools were left where they were last used. Clay and leaves covered the grass. The protective netting was draped over the rocks and tubs. Piles of dirt, concrete blocks, and bricks were scattered everywhere. Finding the piles of rocks, never mind one particular rock, in such a mess would not be easy. Or fast. Sighing, I began the hunt.

I admire people who can keep a clean work area. I cannot. Every flat surface gets covered with tools, inspiring materials, discarded items, and trash that didn’t make it into a trash bag. It doesn’t matter how often I stop to clean it up, within hours (or days depending on the project), everything becomes a mess again. I’ve learned to live with it.

I like to think I take after my Father. He also seems to create a mess whenever He’s working in me. When I first became His child, He brought to the surface emotions I had long buried. He showed me an inspiring future but kept jobs out of my reach. He changed my living conditions forcing me to move. He placed new ideas in my mind that mingled with old lies that hadn’t been tossed out yet. And He surrounded me with new tools – the Bible, spiritual books, highlighters, people, and music.

Over the years, there have been times when things seemed to be cleaned up. Everything in my life looked neat and tidy. But then God’s work in me would continue and a mess would quickly replace my comfortable life. New feelings from deep in my heart would be dug up and left in the open. New aspects of God and the spiritual world would fill my mind along with ideas that I clung to in case I would need them in the future. An inspiring mission would be placed in my heart but I would be kept from acting on it. Details in my life would shift and change, sometimes requiring me to move again. And I would end up surrounded with new tools to explore.

At first I would get distressed at each mess I saw. How could this be God? Isn’t He a God of order? What if this was discipline? What did I do wrong? Or is this the devil? Am I supposed to pray against it? Discouragement and confusion often complicated the work being done in me.

Yes, God is a God of order according to the Bible. However, many times we just can’t see that order. On top of that, God is also the God of storms, which are filled with chaos – roaring thunder, streaks of lightning, tossing seas. When He shakes us to remove what doesn’t belong, we may feel totally out of control. It may feel as if everything in our lives – both inner and outer – is such a mess. But we can relax knowing that He in in total control of every detail and every moment.

Over the years, as my trust in Him grows, my despair is slowly being replaced with quiet assurance that God knows what He is doing. I am learning to abide in Him, to live patiently with the mess – when I recognize it and remember that it’s temporary – and trust that God will clean it up in His time. I have also come to believe that what I, and maybe the people around me, see as a mess, God sees as a masterpiece.

Let’s learn to abide in God. To allow Him to work as He knows best. To trust that what looks and feels like a mess to us, like the underside of a piece of embroidery, will look amazing when we get to see it from God’s perspective.

And – just as important – let us extend the same grace to others as they grow in Christ. Let’s trust that the mess we may see from our viewpoint is a sign of God’s work and that one day we will see the beauty that God sees.

Scriptures:

At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, Hebrews 12:26-28

But all things should be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:11-13

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33a

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. John 15:9

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. Nahum 1:3b

At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ”Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken – that is, things that have been made – in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Hebrews 12:26-27

But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:25

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15a

For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

You keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD God is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26:3-4

I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. Psalm 131:1-2

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 9 – Tadpoles

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

As the murky water cleared in my new pond and I was able to look down through the water, I was dismayed to find a bunch of  leaves and muck on the bottom. I had tried so carefully to prevent anything from falling into the water while working on it, so where did all this stuff come from? And how do I get rid of it?

I know that a little muck is beneficial for the fish and plant life, but I didn’t like seeing it. Apparently I wasn’t alone. Some people get rid of the muck by draining the pond and getting inside to scrub the lining and rocks. That wasn’t going to happen in my case, but I did have a pool vacuum which other people mentioned that they used. However, a larger group of people said to leave it, at least for this year. Next year I would have to clean out some of it but for now, just enjoy the pond as it is.

I spent several days debating which group of people to follow. Clean it out or leave it in until later?

And then I noticed something that made my decision easier for me. Tadpoles. Hundreds of tadpoles. Maybe even thousands throughout the entire pond. Tiny squishy spots that swam from place to place. No way could I vacuum the muck without vacuuming up these babies. I decided that I will wait until they are mature frogs and find their own places to live before I get rid of the muck.

Jesus once told a parable about a similar situation. A man sowed good seed in his field but while his men were sleeping, his enemy sowed weeds among the wheat. When the plants came up and bore grain, the weeds also appeared. The workers asked whether to pull up the weeds but the man said that it would harm the wheat so let them grow. When the wheat is harvested, the weeds could be easily separated and burned. Jesus later explained that He was the man who sowed His people in the kingdom of God. But the devil sowed his followers in with them. At harvest time, the angels will separate out the lawless ones from the Believers and cast them in a fiery furnace.

In today’s world, we see two groups of people. Those who are living for God and those who aren’t. Removing the ones who aren’t might damage those who are so God lets them stay until the time is right. He protects His people even if that means others appear to get away with sin. But at the right time, they will pay for their sin.

Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Psalm 37:1-3

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Romans 6:23

Just like He told His angels not to remove the weeds in case it hurt the wheat. I chose not to remove the muck in case it hurt the tadpoles. A little muck doesn’t overcome the beauty of the flowers that surround the pond, the mesmerizing ripples of the water flowing over pebbles, the peaceful splash of the waterfalls, and the joyful fun of watching the tadpoles grow and develop.

I wonder if that’s what God thinks when He looks down from heaven at us.

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Are You Ready?

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment
Photo by Frans van Heerden on Pexels.com

 “Jenny, time to get ready. We’ll be leaving soon.”

The seven-year-old looked up at her mother. “Okay, mom.” And then she went back to reading the book she held.

Mom left the room to make her own preparations. The room was quiet. Jenny kept reading.

Ten minutes later, Rodney, her older brother, poked his head into her room. “Jenny, didn’t you hear? We will be leaving soon. You need to get ready.”

“I am,” she replied without looking up.

“No, you’re not.” Rodney pointed at her. “You haven’t changed your clothes or put on your socks and shoes. You’re not ready.”

“I have my travel bag packed. It will just take a second to change clothes.” Jenny muttered. “I have time.”

Shaking his head, Rodney left to make his own preparations.

Minutes later Jenny’s little sister came into the room. Going to her bed, she pulled her shoes out from under it and began to put them on.  “Jenny,” she said. “Mommy says be ready. Why aren’t you getting dressed?”

“Just a minute. I’m almost finished with this chapter. Then I’ll get dressed.” Jenny continued reading, and didn’t notice when her sister left the room.

From time to time her mother’s voice would softly drift into the room. “Jenny, are you ready?” Each time, Jenny pushed it to the side. She would get ready, just not at this moment. She really wanted to get to the end of the chapter. Finally, she got to the last page and closed the book. This had been one of the longest chapters she had ever read.

Just as she put the book down, her mother came into the room. “I’m leaving now. I see you are not ready. You will have to stay here with dad.”

“Wait!” Jenny called out. “I want to go with you!”

“But you’re not ready.”

“It will only take a minute. You didn’t give me enough time.”

“Sorry, you had as much time as the others. You chose to wait. You chose to do something else instead of what I asked you. It’s too late now.” Mother smiled sadly, and then left the room.

Jenny sat on her bed, devastated. Why did her mother appear so suddenly and tell her it was too late? All she needed was a few more minutes. It wasn’t fair.

Have you ever thought about God’s longsuffering? About how He gives us a long, long time to respond to Him? He has been calling people to Him for centuries. He’s been warning us for two thousand years to be ready for His return, but since He hasn’t returned yet, some people may think He has forgotten us. We may think it will be centuries more before He comes.  We may take for granted that when He comes, we will have time to put on our shoes and go with Him.

He has warned us numerous times to be ready at all times. What does that mean in our day-to-day lives? At one point early in my life, I thought it meant to have no future plans. His return was imminent so why work for a future that wouldn’t happen? But then, when he didn’t return, I was forced to consider my future. I went to college, began a career, got married, had kids – and slowly my focus was less on Jesus and more on my life. If He had returned in those years, would I have been prepared?

I feel burdened that God’s people are sleepwalking though life. They may go to church, participate in a Bible study, give to the needy, and love their families. They may profess to love God and want to be with Him forever. But their lives show a different story. They continue to live by the world’s standards, follow their own dreams and goals, and get offended easily by the behavior of other people. They compromise what the Bible says to make their lives easier and more pleasant. They pray and seek Him – until they are distracted. And then they go about their lives keeping Him in their peripheral vision – enough to know He’s there but their time and focus is on themselves – their wants, desires, goals, dreams, chores, plans, family, hobbies, entertainment, friendships…. They don’t reject Him. They just kind of put Him to the side. Like I did in my earlier years.

How does the Bible describe what being awake looks like?

According to Romans 13:11-14, we are to cast off the works of darkness. This includes not just the more obvious ones like immorality and drunkenness, but also the ones we tend to justify such as dishonesty (white lies), quarreling and jealousy. We are also to put on the armor of Light. This means to “wear” Jesus everywhere we go. We let His light shine into every situation, guiding our actions and reactions and bringing hope to others. And we are to make no provision to gratify the desires of our flesh but instead our focus should be on spiritual matters.

One day Jesus will come just like He said He would. And it will feel “suddenly” just like He warned. Are we ready if He comes this year? This month? This day? This hour? What if He’s here in our next breath?

Will He find us awake and prepared? Will He find us using our talents for Him? Will He find us treating each other well? Will He find our hearts totally devoted to Him and our lives revolving around Him?

Or will He find us distracted and sleepy, easily deceived by the enemy, neglecting our talents, and focused more on ourselves and on the world than on Him?

God is waking up His people. Let us respond quickly and eagerly. Let us encourage those still sleeping to wake up. He loves us and gave up everything for us. Let us do no less than to love Him fervently and put Him first in every part of our lives, replacing procrastination with wholeheartedly obedience to His Word.

Let us put down our books and get dressed before it’s too late.

Scriptures:

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him. ’Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. ’But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. Matthew 25:1-13

 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36

 “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.  Revelation 3:1b-3

 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:15-16

(“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) Revelation 16:15

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:11-14

Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:1-2

The Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 24:36-51

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 8 – The Waterfall

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment
Not my waterfall – this was my inspiration

Of course I wanted to add a waterfall to my pond. Why wouldn’t I? The sound of falling water was so peaceful. So I looked at photos and videos, learned some dos and don’ts. And then chose the waterfall I wanted to recreate. It was simple. Large, flat rocks stacked three high. Various size rocks along its side. ‘I can do that,’ I thought.

I dug out and lined the area, got my largest flat rocks, and began building. It worked! The water ran delightfully across the rocks and into the pond. The fake flowers I put among the rocks (until I could plant real one) added color. It was beautiful! There was just one problem. The waterfall looked out of place. It was too big for the pond. I could leave it. I should have left it, but I decided I would end up regretting not changing it while I had a chance. So I dismantled the whole thing except for the lining.

I placed a couple of flat stones, added a few rounder ones in different sizes, and turned on the water. The finished product was beautiful, but the water wouldn’t flow correctly. It kept going under the rocks instead of over them. So I got some pond spray foam and sealed off the bottoms of the rocks. Now the water flowed over them, but the foam in inexperienced hands was obvious. I could keep it but knew my eyes would always be drawn to the ugly foam that showed no matter how much I tried to cover it. I’d have to start over.

No foam, only one level, Surely this would work. And it did. The water flowed nicely, rippling over stones and pebbles in several streams. I absolutely loved it. That’s why it was completely disappointing when folded parts of the lining showed. Sunlight would eventually cause the lining to crack. I tried to cover them but no matter how I tried, the force of the water pushed the stones off the folds in the lining – the same folds that created the wonderful rippling. I could keep it but knew sooner or later I would only have to replace it. It would be better to do so now than a year from now when the plant life became established.

So I started over. Again. I removed everything, including the lining. I dug out the area a lot deeper before putting the liner back on it, kept the waterfall one level, and covered every part of the lining with rocks and stones and a few branches. A few harder- to-cover places were left for plants to cover. It didn’t have the nice, bubbling streams as the last waterfall, but it was nice enough. The water flowed quietly in several directions before splashing into the pond. There were plenty of places to add plants, including a couple of deeper pools. But there was one problem. I had gotten carried away and now it was too big for my pond. It looked huge. It was even bigger than my first waterfall.

I decided that I was NOT going to start over. It is what it is. Too bad I didn’t have this attitude with my first waterfall. It would have saved me days of toil.

But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are out potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8

The work I put into this waterfall reminds me of the work God puts into me. He has a plan and builds circumstances to shape me into His vision. It doesn’t always work out. Maybe I don’t cooperate. Maybe I ignore His guidance because it doesn’t line up with my own ideas. Or maybe I complain, or worse, flat out reject it because I don’t like it. Then He has to slap be back onto the spinning wheel and start over.

I eventually gave up on the waterfall. But God will never give up on me.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

My only job is to cooperate with Him. He knows what He is doing. Do I trust Him enough to allow Him to do what He needs to do?

Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 Corinthians 6:1

The Israelites often complained. Complaining showed lack of faith or belief. They were saying they didn’t think God was doing the best for them. He didn’t care. Or He wasn’t in control. They were receiving God’s grace in vain.

Are we any different?

We are concerned that we look perfect, fit in perfectly with our surroundings, and hide everything we don’t want exposed to the world. When God has other ideas, when He separates us from others, when He reveals sensitive areas that need attention, when he removes or adds people and things in our lives – do we accept it because we trust our good Father – or do we complain and refuse to cooperate?

Let’s cooperate. That way we won’t have to keep starting over and it will save all of us a lot of work.