I had finished my study, deposited my note book on the
kitchen table and found myself “drawn”
to our black with copper socks Australian Shepherd who was all snuggled up in a
ball on one corner of our white leather couch.
When I softly sat beside her and began to scratch her on the head, she
slightly opened one eye, stretched out her front paws and rolled over on her
side. After a moment or two she fell
back asleep in the peace and comfort of my presence and gentle stroking of her
fur.
It was one of those quiet and reflective moments of time in
the calm of the morning in our living room.
As I looked over at Mandie and thought about how relaxed she was and how
she seemed to be enjoying the moment with me, I reflected about how this is what it must be like in the presence of the Lord.
The room was warm as I had turned on the heater when I got out of bed a
little over an hour before, and the peace was almost overwhelming!
In my study time I had been reading and meditating on the
scriptures around the verse from John 6:44 that we talked about in yesterday’s
blog post. Previous to this verse, the people
in Jerusalem had been complaining about Jesus and were debating over the fact
that they thought they knew who He was because they knew His earthly parents. When He talked about heavenly things they
debunked His doctrine as they considered Him to be just a local kid who couldn’t
possibly understand the things He spoke of, much less be who He declared He
really was! Their preconceived ideas and
erroneous opinions clouded their vision of the truth.
As I pondered Jesus’ predicament, I was reminded of the
similar trials and tribulations that I have faced from well-meaning (I have to believe that they were
well-meaning…) relatives and Christian friends who made erroneous statements
and accusations toward me as the journey with the battle for my wife’s health
has developed. I was also reminded of a
recent conversation with a friend who is also fighting a similar personal battle
caused by the words and actions of some that he trusted and served.
I’m sure that many of you have faced like situations in your
own life, and I understand that they are difficult to work through and come to
the point where you can forgive, forget and turn your thoughts and actions toward
loving those who have hurt you. I
believe that there comes the time when we have to simply let go of the pain and
those who inflicted it, yield them to God and allow Him to draw them, through
the power and actions of His Holy Spirit working in them, to Jesus.
John 6:44 in the Contemporary English Version tells us that “No one can come to me (Jesus), unless
the Father who sent me makes them want
to come. But if they do come I will…” Jesus said that He is the only one who can
help them to see the truth and when they do finally yield to it and come to Him
that He will… be free to do whatever needs to be done in them to help them and
the situation as a whole.
Sitting there this morning with the pooch helped me to have
a visual understanding of the peace that can envelope us as we yield the
problem situations, the devastating hurts and the unsettling moments in our
lives over to Him and then simply recline in His presence as He puts His arms
around us and holds us close. I tell
you, that this is a much better feeling than constantly rehearsing the wrongs
that have been inflicted on you!
I would rather spend a few moments in the warmth and peace
of His presence, than anytime complaining about the wrongs I have faced and
experienced in my life. How about
you? Have a great day! Stay in tune to His Word and His peace and
keep asking yourself… “What am I
expecting today?”
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