Here for Today

'All men are like the grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, by the word of the Lord stands forever.'  ~1 Peter 1:24-25

I was listening to Billy Graham on the radio this morning, imploring his audience not to wait to come to Christ.  You never know if this day might be your last, he said.  And that got me thinking about my own path to Christ, and how long and winding it was.  And I started praying that Billy Graham's audience would not wait, and waste valuable time like I did.  And it made me remember that I was so afraid that my life would change, and I would give up control and I would not be able to experience things that would bring me happiness if I gave my life to Christ at 17.  Do you know that at that moment, the next show came on the radio, and the speaker gave another message on not waiting to commit to Christ.  And he said the exact thing which had been my next thought:  If God loves you and wants the best for your life, if He knows exactly what will ultimately bring his human creations the most happiness and joy, why on earth would we want to spend even one more second without that?! 

That's something in the Good News that I seem to have missed for many years -- God knows best.  Giving up control over your life is a scary thing, but it's like a flight trainee giving up control of a Jumbo Jet to an experienced pilot with combat experience.  You might fly through some turbulence, but there's no way the plane is going down. 

So many of us think we know what will make us happy, but in reality, we are so often wrong.  Certainly what the culture tells us of happiness is badly warped.  To my mind, what happens in Vegas will never stay in Vegas, because all those miserable souls will eventually have to go home to reality and reap the consequences of their decisions.

The Bible is not an authoritarian rule book of dos and don'ts.  It's God's love letter to us.  It's His promises to care for us, provide for us, save us over thousands of years.  God's rules are not there to ruin our fun, but to help us find true peace and joy.  I can attest to this in my own life, for sure.  And not a day goes by that I don't wish that I'd made that decision sooner, because I'd be farther along on my journey, and just a little more like Christ. 

If God gives such beauty to flowers in the field, that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he do even more for you -- His own dear child?

Dear Lord, thank you for accepting us as your children at any stage in our lives.  Thank you for giving each of us a purpose in life and a way to bring you glory.  It is so wonderful that you've given us Your Word and Your Spirit to bring us closer to You, and put us on a path to true happiness and peace.  Amen!

Comments

[Lorie]

Jen that this so true, tomorrow is promised to no one, My pastor used to say.. live each day as if Jesus was comming back. Hope you're doing okay my sistah, you had a wonderful giveaway ooh those lucky ladies got such awesome gifts.well done my friend.. Hugz Lorie

[Kasie@~The Art of Life~]

Oh this is so, so true. And even though I've already given my life to Christ, it's something that I still struggle with. So many times I find myself trying to take control again or worrying about the future when my loving Father has promised:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer.29:11
Thanks for sharing. :)

[Jen]

I struggle with that too, Kasie. I saw a video from Turning Point Ministries awhile back that illustrated it so well. A man had several jars he was laying on the altar, marked career, family, dreams, etc. He said, "Lord, I give them all to you, do what you will." Then he paused, turned away, then turned back and one by one took them back, saying, 'well, maybe I'll just hold on this this one..." In the end, he had an armful of jars and as he turned to leave, they all fell from his arms and smashed. I thought then and I still do, 'That is so, so true. We try to give it over, end up taking it back and then mess it up.' Just trust and obey, as the old hymn says....
Jen @ Visions & Verses

[Jennifer Valerie]

Quite on target there. Have a blessed day.
Jenn