Greetings in the name of the Lord. As the days lengthen and warm here in the Western Hemisphere the flowers begin to bloom bringing renewal to the earth. Just as the earth springs forth life and beauty this time of year we too will one day be renewed to our original created state; the version of humanity that God intended. The future is patiently awaiting its full redemption and renewal. For now, we find ourselves in a broken, sin-filled world. The repercussions of sin’s perpetrated acts fall upon all of humanity. We see the results in our daily lives. Not only do our rebellious acts affect us, but they also affect others both in our circle and the world at large. Our lives are not lived in a vacuum. We are not responsible for other’s actions and words, but we are responsible for our own words and actions. Losing sight of this will lead to our taking responsibility for things that only God can and not taking responsibility for actions and words that bring harm and destruction. We are responsible for following God’s ways and growing in an ever-closer relationship with Him. Through this relationship God has chosen to draw out change in the world. He will not force the change but He can and does induce change. We can either help or hinder God’s plan. If we choose to hinder, He will find another. I say all of this to remind us that what we are experiencing is temporary, here today and gone tomorrow, but what we do and say here and now will have eternal ramifications – both good and bad. Some days it seems like everything is going down a rabbit hole of despair and catastrophes. Saying this too shall pass does not seem to be all that helpful but it is true. Seeking God is our only hope to stay in the race to renewal.
Living in this world with a heart in God’s presence enables us to live that life of joy that God has promised. Hope for the future renewal of all things gives us staying power. The choice is ours, which path will we take? Will we look through human eyes and see the darkness pervading society, or will we look through the eyes of Holy Spirit and see the promises of God which lay before us? Human nature pulls us to look upon the decay surrounding us and either give up wallowing in despair or surrender to the darkness and join the crowd, the easy path. But there is another path, the narrow path which leads to God and joy. How do we find this narrow path to God and joy? By seeking and choosing God and His ways. Initially this will take a conscious effort moment by moment each day. Soon the effort will become less arduous and then one day it will become a natural state of existence for us. Will this choice be easy? No, not always. Like an alcoholic choosing not to drink we must choose not to sin and to seek God and to grow in His character. This is a day by day, moment by moment choice where we seek His presence in everything. Are there consequences? Yes, humanity without God is on the wide path of a self-centered life and will not appreciate those who choose to give up their life to God. Jesus of Nazareth, God in flesh, bids us to come and follow Him. He does not beg or try to sell the idea of following Him. He invites and pursues us with love to draw us into a relationship with Him. Like the rich young ruler, we can give up all that we are and follow God or we can walk away and follow self and the god of this world. The Choice is ours.
The future is bright. Life in the New Heavens and the New Earth will be upon us before we know it. This life is preparing us for eternal fellowship with God. Just like Moses and Elijah could not see God face to face in their un-regenerated human form and live, neither can we. This life is meant to grow us up into God’s character, His heart. To be transformed. To love and He loves. We have an enemy who is trying to break this fellowship with God and corrupt our hearts. For we war not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers and authorities.
God does not call anyone where He will not sustain them. God does not ask us to do anything that He will not give the strength and wisdom to complete. Most days if I could just get myself out of the way my path to God would be clear and smooth. I desire to love as God loves but there, once again I am in the way. There is no easy way to grow God’s character in me. I have asked and God has told me that like clay I must be molded and set in the fire to be purified. I must learn through obedience. Obedience – choice. As I sit here typing a gauntlet lay before me. There is no end in sight. It appears to go on indefinitely. But the light brilliantly shines beyond my sight. To the right is every fleshly desire. To the left is every selfish desire. Looking to the right I feel a dark foreboding of retched decay. Looking to the left the same darkness looms beaconing me to destruction. The only hope is through the gauntlet. As I step onto the path that lay before me another joins me. Each step I take He takes with me. The Lord Jesus said that He would never leave nor forsake us. Through the gauntlet He goes with us. There are two that will always be with us, God and ourselves. We can try to run from both, but there is no place that God is not and we can never be anywhere, but where we are. God has united Himself with us in blood covenant. We are His, irrevocably eternally bound, if we surrender our whole being to Him to be united bound by the blood oath consummated in the crucifixion of God’s Son. Pure Love rescued us if we will come to Him. He will not force us, but He does offer life eternal that begins now and will one day be restored to grandeur.
May we all meet at the wedding feast of the Lamb.