Magnificent!

Photo By Mark F. Eastman, M.D.

Perhaps you all wrapped up in social media and are feeling bombarded with information. News, headlines, updates, and breaking stories one after another. Most are about tragedy, injury, heartbreak and well, plain stupidity. It is enough the make you loss hope and feel as though there is nothing good left in the world. Still, buried there between the headlines and hype lives the stories of miracles and joy. There are accounts of bravery, kindness, the amazing human spirit and especial God's grace. Even in every day ordinary life, God's magnificence shines through.

If you are having trouble finding magnificence, you need look no further than the sky. There at night you will witness God's radiant handiwork in the glow and twinkle of the stars, moon and planets. With the help of a telescope you can stand in awe of the endless canvas splattered with sparkling beauty and colorful warm iridescent hues. Once morning arrives, feast your eyes of the magnificent sunrise and the wispy feather-like clouds that dance across the sky. Later in the day, you may be able to catch the red glow of the sun as it kisses the day goodbye on its way to set off in the west.

Yes, the Heavens are God's canvas and it is there that he displays a wondrous show as only he can. His beauty is there to remind you just how incredibly blessed you are. You are a child of God! That alone is magnificent beyond words.

"All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent." Isaiah 28:29

Depending on the Lord

There you are on the race called life. Yes, you are busy. Often you find you have no time to spare. You are off and running from morning until night with little chance to pray, reflect, and plan. In fact, your life is like an intricate house of cards. It depends on a set of perfectly placed pieces to all stay in place. If one thing gets in the way or disrupts it, the whole thing falls apart.

Life works best when those you depend on follow through with their commitments and promises. Your spouse, child, parent, friend, and even employer, can let you down and fail to follow through on a commitment. No matter the situation, you take a lot for granted in depending on others and can find yourself being disappointed.

The Lord is the is only one that truly is dependable and never waivers, changes, or will let you down. He is the constant in life's race through hills and valleys, twists and turns, dead ends, and u-turns. You can always depend on him. He won't break a promise, end your friendship, try to manipulate you, set conditions or betray you. Others may be less than dependable, go back on their word or walk away but Jesus Christ is with you forever and always.

No one will be able to oppose you as long as you live, for I will be with you just as I was with Moses; I will not abandon you or fail to help you. Joshua 1:5

Listen Up!

It is estimated that people spend more than 50% of their time listening. Listening is more than hearing. Listening means that you have actually taking the time and concentration to attempt to understand a message or information. There are often times when you are not listening even though you intend to because you are distracted or listening to your own thoughts instead. You listen at the rate of about 125 words a minute but you think at about 2000 words a minute.

Every morning at our house we listen to the loudest song bird you can imagine. It is hard to believe that God put so much sound in such a tiny bird. That birds sings up a storm for hours on end. I wonder if our neighbors pay any attention to the serenade or even notice that the bird is singing to its heart's content. 

The bird reminds me of Christians sharing the gospel. Some listen to the message but for others the most important message they could ever listen to fall on deaf ears. Still, it is important to continue to share the Good News whenever you can and even as important to listen. Listen for opportunities to share Christ with others, listen to the sound of God that is evident in nature and listen for the voice of the Lord that you can only hear when you are quiet and still. 

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him and tell of all his wonderful acts. Psalm 105:1-2

Seeking Hope

Webster's dictionary defines hope as "a state which promotes the belief in good outcomes related to events and circumstances in one's life." Considering the challenges we are facing today, it is quite easy to understand why there are a great number of hopeless people. For many, hope is a far off dream that escapes them. Rather than believing in good outcomes, the hopeless expect the worst. They have no reason to think that anything good can reach them in the place where they find themselves. Life is stressful, difficult and without promise. Or is it?

In the most challenging, and even impossible situations hope is at hand. Jesus Christ is available, accessible, and able to fill the void of hope. God's promises remain true today as they have for all time. There is nothing beyond his capability. He can move mountains, part the sea, repair broken hearts, free the enslaved, and restore what has been lost. When you find yourself seeking solutions because things are beyond hope, remember that hope through Jesus is right there where you are. He is your hope today, tomorrow and forever.

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!  Isaiah 30:18

The Final Chapter

 

You may know, I wrote a leadership book Dragon Slayers - A Story of Conquering Change. The story describes the victory achieved when three dragon slayers conquer seven self-centered dragons and open the road to change.  At the end of the book, checklists and brief summaries provide insight into the dragon slayers tactics for victory. I find myself telling people to read the end of the book first. In doing so, the reader gains a perspective of the final victory before beginning the story.

The Bible is a true love story about God's victory over the ultimate dragon enemy, Satan. The pages are filled with the truths about the struggles and process of the battle, and the grace and love of the Ultimate Dragon Slayer, Jesus Christ. The final chapter, Revelation, is a beautiful description of God’s glorious achievement in finally putting to an end the devil and all his evil. Knowing the details, and reading the following words in the final chapter, gives us hope, grace and faith to continue our journey.

And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are too, and they will be tormented there day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10

As you continue in your life's story, remember no matter the circumstances, distractions, or appearances, the final chapter is one of glorious victory through Jesus Christ our Lord and Dragon Slayer. Through his powerful and almighty hand, the ultimate victory will be won just as God planned.

"He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57