TRANSITONS WELCOME

The word, transitions, refers to more than lenses for glasses. They are occurrences in all of our lives. Sometimes they are welcome. Other times they come like tornadoes seeming to tear us apart like so much barn lumber.

Not very long ago just such a stormy transition came blowing through our lives. At the time it looked foreboding and negative. However, in a short time we began to see that it was a blessing in disguise. The whirlwind had cleared the land, so to speak, to make way for building a better ‘barn’. We’ve not only landed on our feet, but feel more secure than ever.

All of this reminded me of what occurred with Joseph in Genesis. Sold by his own brothers into Egyptian slavery, he rose to be a top leader in that new land. Although his jealous brothers meant it for evil, God meant it for good. (Genesis 5:20) In the New Testament, Paul finds it the same, as he writes:” to them that love God all things work together for good…” (Romans 8:28).

Wow! What a comfort that is to know; God working even in the bad stuff! It puts a new, holy, perspective on everything.

Underrated

I'm thinking RESTING is underrated. (I'll have to admit, though, sometimes I feel pretty guilty when I spend much time at it.) After all, at least my WW II generation, felt that our worth revolved around how much we produced. It's a hard attitude to shake.

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to join some relatives for a celebration. However, I had already had a pretty full day with church and company for lunch. My physical therapist had just recently warned me about over-extending myself and then paying for it the next day. We wanted to go, so I wrestled with the problem, and decided to go with 'the program'. (i.e. the good sense of the therapist.) Today I'm glad, even though cutting back goes against my grain. I want to do it all.

Proverbs tells the lazy slacker to 'go to the ant and get some wisdom'. But Jesus, pressured on every side by the needs of those around him, still found time for resting; (even in a boat during a gigantic storm.) He knew there were seasons and reasons for stepping back, like taking his disciples for a retreat at Caesarea, or drawing aside for hours to pray. Like I say, resting is underrated.

I guess I'll have to take this business of sabbath keeping beyond Sundays and going to church.
Maybe I can build a little more 'sabbath' into every day.

Hebrews, chapter 4, speak about an even deeper rest for the people of God; one that comes by walking by faith in an all-sufficient Christ. That rest cannot be overrated.