Hope_Ecclesiastes 9:4-12

At first glance, these verses seem so discouraging, with words like "meaningless life", "for in the grave where you are going", and "so men are trapped in evil times..." Yet, the message here is that while we live THERE IS HOPE!

Verse 4 says "Anyone who is among the living has hope...", and that we must enjoy God's favor or blessings.

Verse 7 says "Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is NOW that God favors what you do."

As flawed humans we tend to live in the past (regrets) and plan our future (anxiety) which we have no control of. This is why Jesus calls us not to be anxious about tomorrow in Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day is enough trouble of its own." What He calls us to do rather is to BE PRESENT in His PRESENCE.

The Rubber Band

It’s commonplace enough, found in most office desks, kitchen drawers and even in my bag! It has a myriad of uses. I use it to hold together used wrapping paper or cartolina; bundle up straying electric cords; and ponytail my daughter’s hair. As children, my brother and sisters used them as slingshots with rolled paper as ammo. But as I reflect on our 2018, there is a priceless lesson to be had from the ubiquitous rubber band. My faith in our good God is very much like a rubber band. He stretches me to the point I feel I’m about to snap, and as I cry out to Him, He then releases me. Just as I become complacent, He once again pulls me to where I think is my limit. You see, when He calls us to do His work, He stretches our faith like a rubber band so we can be pliable to His will, and therefore we can accomplish more. Painful, yes, and many times exhausting physically and emotionally. 2018 was a strenuous year to say the least for my family. It strained our resources, our patience, and our resolve. But despite all this, we have found beautiful blessings in loyal people, faithful friends, and a purpose for the family that has remained steadfast. For all these, we are truly grateful. In all honesty, however, I whisper a prayer: “Lord, can the stretching please stop and let us catch our breath?” I have no answer, yet I look toward to 2019 in hope, and continue to pray— When we feel helpless with situations surrounding us and we feel hopeless, You are our Hope. When we see violence and hatred all around, You are our Peace. When misery and despair engulf us, You are our Joy. “We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in You.” -- Psalm 33:20-22

He Waits for Me

Then the music starts. I struggle through the darkness, through briers with claws that wound me. I walk out to a clearing and there on a hill He waits for me. Light envelopes me in His embrace. I slowly sit, rest my head on his lap, and cry: Jesus Lord, I am so tired! Jesus Lord, I am bothered, I am dismayed; I am anxious. I am in pain. I have doubts and I have sinned Please forgive me. I don’t know what to do. Then, I feel His hand on my forehead He strokes my hair, and says: I have taken all that, and its okay; Your sin? I have taken it away; I died for you because I love you. Do not be afraid. In the early morning hour I find my way into His glorious presence -- My King, my Saviour, my Friend; He waits for me as the music starts. "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul." Psalm 23:2-3 Written 100218// Posted on momofmultitudes.blogspot.com October 2, 2018

In the Circle of Light

I stand in a circle of light Scanning a crowd of faces Some familiar, some unknown All of us bound by the same spirit Bringing us together. My journey led me to this moment A momentous moment among many In a story written by the Great Author. “Extraordinary!”, you say; I say, "Ordinary made extraordinary, Not by anything I could've done without the Great Creator, and my family.” I stand in the Circle of Light Scanning a heavenly crowd of faces Some familiar, some unknown All beloved, bound by the same spirit Bringing us together. Healed. Forgiven. Redeemed. Ordinary as I am, My story made extraordinary In surrender to the Great King. /091218

Survivor

So here’s another tree story. She wasn’t a very pretty tree to start with. If she were a human, she’d be described as "gangly with spindly arms”, so we adorned her with one of the cadiz lamps spread around the garden and hung a few potted plants on her trunk. But she towered over our fence with branches spreading upward, and welcomed the birds in her “hair”, and for this I truly appreciated her.

Every morning, as I did my devotional time, their chirping from across my window always gave me comfort. They reminded me of Matthew 6:26 "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Late last year though, her branches were cut off because they hung over the neighbour’s lot where a new house was being built. Over the months, the construction workers cut off whatever sprouted from her top. I was distressed over this because I lost the birds and the greenery I had been accustomed to. But I couldn’t do anything about it. Then something wonderful began to happen. Tiny leaves began to sprout from her trunk, surrounding it with green, like a grass skirt. Plant experts say this can happen IF THE TREE IS UNDER STRESS. As I view my brave little tree, I ponder on the lesson she is teaching me. Stressful times call us to make do with what we have been given, and to keep striving even when we are cut off or cut down. With our Lord supplying our needs, the outcome is always beautiful.

Hate vs Love

Hate is "in". Love is "out". Meanness and vindictiveness are trending. Unknowingly, or knowingly, even Christians have been deceived that it's okay to hate because "it is right". Jesus followers, however, are called to love. Remember ,"Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister." -1 John 4:20-21 This is one sign of the end of the age found in Matthew 24:10-13. "At that time ,many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." Let's not let love grow cold. Let's love even those who are unlovable, that one person who is like sandpaper, that person who is malicious, that person who has crossed the line too many times, that person who has committed a sin even you cannot forgive. Why? Because, hey! That person was created by God and Jesus died for her too. 
Photo credit: www.paulhorton.wordpress.com

Open Doors

1 Corinthians 16:9

"...because a great door for effective work has opened up for me, and there are many who oppose me."

Isn't it sad when someone is doing well at work, or in school, and yet there will be a few people who will find a way to discredit him or make his work harder that it already is? Crab mentality!

Paul encountered the same situation. He saw an opportunity in Ephesus to do great work for the Kingdom, but he acknowledged that many would not, or rather, did not want him to succeed. Despite the opposition, he courageously, in faith, decided to pursue this opportunity, knowing that it was an open door from God.

May we always have open eyes and hearts to know where You are leading us, just like Paul, Lord. May we courageously follow You despite knowing that there will be people who will make things hard for us. And, may we already claim victory in the name of Your Son, Jesus.

(Photo credit: www. birmingham-rep.co.uk)