This week, instead of a longer post, I have a written a few short thoughts on beauty, truth and life. May you be blessed in the reading of them and be encouraged to join me in observing more and thinking deeper.
Growth When we Least Expect It
I’ve said it before, but winters here in my part of Atlantic Canada can be harsh. So when the sun begins to pour out its spring warmth, we welcome it with joy. We hastily shed our winter layers of turtlenecks, scarves, puffy jackets and heavy boots trading them for lighter attire and flip flops. Loosed from our semi-hibernation we fling open our windows, breathe deep the fragrant air, let our sheets and blankets blow lazily on the clothesline. Sidewalks and pathways fill with people and gardens get tended to after a dormant season. Last week we had full sun everyday, and by Friday the temperature climbed to almost 30C. The world here buzzed with life.
But Saturday told a different story. Temperatures plummeted as fast as the torrential rain poured down. All day. And the next day. And the next, and the day after that. When the rain finally slowed to a scotch mist, the temperatures remained below 10C. People here once again reached for warmer jackets and sweaters and hunkered inside. It was too wet to do anything outside and even the birds hushed their joyful songs. Weather was the talk of the grocery store and coffee shop, everyone voicing their frustration and disappointment—it’s May after all.
Thursday morning came forth shrouded in frost and fog, but by 6:00 am beams of light shone from the eastern horizon. As frost and fog retreated, a light blue sky was revealed. Birds zipped this way and that and sang like they hadn’t in a week. Amongst all the chorus chatter I recognized warbles and songs I hadn’t heard yet this spring—new migrants from a winter south had returned during the dreary days of the past week.
The rising sun unveiled a new view on the opposite shore of the river. It was brighter than it had been the last time I saw it—the landscape was a vibrant green! Summer leaves had burst forth unnoticed during the grey days of the past week.
Growth happened—unseen and unexpected—and even in seeming unpleasant circumstances. Isn’t that how the Lord often works in our lives?
“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 4:17-18)
Little Words Pack a Punch
The school year has ended and I’m officially on summer break (even though it’s barely spring). I like to dig deeper into Scripture during this down time, and this year I chose to study the book of Philippians. And, in God’s strength, I’m attempting to memorize the entire book with the help of this guide. (Pray for me? I’ve never been an accomplished memorizer😅. Want to join me?). So far I’ve memorized the first nine verses.
I’ve noticed that as I meditate on the Word, repeating it over and over to commit it to memory, things I have overlooked with a quick read, are now glaringly obvious. The little word ‘all’ is one example. ‘All’ is used five times in the first nine verses of Philippians. Was Paul a novice writer whose works are carelessly repetitive? No. Paul made a deliberate choice in this letter penned to encourage unity and joy in the Philippian church. ‘All’ promotes unity, not division. How? Because we are all saints. We are all in Christ. Each one of us in the body—the true church—are valuable and significant to the church and to our Savior. No one is overlooked, even if our gifts are behind-the-scenes gifts that no one notices.
How often are we too busy feeling sorry for ourselves because we don’t have this gift or that opportunity? The world sows attitudes of discord and division as it encourages us to strive for our own recognition and praise. May we—all who are the Lord’s—learn to forsake the attitudes of this world and live quiet, peaceable lives content to serve God and our neighbor in the grace of the Lord Jesus. This is the heart attitude of true biblical love and results in heavenly joy.
“…so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Rom. 12:5)
Grace and Love
Grace is one of those Christian words that is difficult to define, and even to understand. We live in it everyday without even being aware of it. I’ve written about grace here. I was blessed by this definition of grace, from Day 1 of the Philippians study I began this week:
“Grace begins as a settled determination in the mind of God before the foundation of the world to do his chosen people infinite good, though they deserve infinite wrath.”
The foundation of this grace is love: “…I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have drawn you with lovingkindness.” (Jer. 31:3)
Want to be most blessed today? Think upon this marvelous grace and everlasting love. Let it sink deep. Be transformed by it.
Grace to you, dear reader, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Light for My Path 