pathway through our nearby woods
“It is possible to enjoy Me and glorify Me in the midst of adverse circumstances. My light shines most brightly through believers who trust Me in the dark.” Sarah Young, ‘Jesus Calling.’
I grew up in Southern California, the land of pavement, palm trees and perpetual sunshine., All that blue and bright color became a backdrop for the clearly delineated cultural, political and religious landscape of the ’50’s and ’60’s.
But times have changed. Oh, they have changed.
Lines have blurred, been redrawn, moved again.
We have no longer a common vocabulary, no shared reference point for the weight of a thing–cultural, political or religious.
The word “President” has been reduced to caricature. When I say “church” it calls forth a non-committal body without bearings, bereft of power, often innocuous in its offerings. (Not the church particular, but the church as a whole.)
When I mention “truth” the connotations are a free-for-all. The center has moved, knocked from its pedestal.
~~~~~~
Glancing at the January gray outside my window I can see much better than on those golden, blue-sky mornings of Summer or Spring. When the beauty cracks open, color and light stealing the stage.
All the bright green things–it’s very distracting.
Maybe in these gray days we can see lies better, black against the sky.
We must keep our eyes focused on the horizon, the goal of what matters beyond politics, religion or culture. See the truth as an incandescent bulb, a lighthouse before us as we make madly for the shore, rowing in the dark.
We have to contend for the Light, my friends. We have to keep rowing.
There is only one beacon breaking through the clouds.
It is the God things that matter. The God things.
You are so right, Jody: in this loud, contentious, self-seeking world, “It’s the God-things that matter”–things like His truth and our faith, honesty, and obedience. Lord, help me stay focused! (And thank you for using Jody to do just that.)
Oh yes, one beacon. Thank you, Jodi. This is a meaningful post that I will remember.
Carol, thank you for your kind words. And thank God for His beacon.
“We have no longer a common vocabulary, no shared reference point for the weight of a thing…” This truth is a heavy weight to bear. You’re right, though, one thing matters. Him. Thought-provoking post. Thanks.
Oh, God, how we need to keep close to the Source, huh? thanks Natalie.
Beautiful.
The Lighthouse directs our way
Even midst waters darkened and gray
Oh, what times we are in, friend. The hymn, “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” is frequently on my lips these days and your words echo them!
hmmmm…. Jennifer, that song is a good one. I may be humming it the rest of the day.
The Centre holds: things do not fall apart
Because the Centre is the ascended Man
Whose work and worthiness secure our heart,
Who works all things to God’s eternal plan.
David, thank you. I know these lines sound familiar, tho’ I can’t remember who wrote them. Powerful nonetheless.