Turtle

For several weeks I have been thinking about turtles. This often happens. I will have a tiny inkling there is a tidbit somewhere in a thought, but it may take weeks for all the pieces to fit together. 

I read today an Indonesian fable about a turtle that could fly.  He would hold a stick in his mouth and would be carried aloft by geese. On one particular flight from the ground he heard “aren’t those geese brilliant.” Upon hearing the praise going to the geese, he cried out, “it was my idea.” Immediately he lost his grip.

Reflecting on this fable, I thought about us as Christians.  It is my desire to soar for our Father.  With Jesus and the Holy Spirit uplifting us we can truly soar.  Far too often we take our eyes off them and lose our grip.   Pride, self confidence and even sin can cause us to lose our focus.

Next I thought about the race with the turtle and the hare.  The turtle kept his focus and the hare took his ease.  God has a race for each of us.  The finish line is obscure, but the path He lays before us is our destiny.  Often when the path is cluttered with obstacles we pull our head into our shell like Mr. Turtle.  His shell is his protection from outside forces.  Jesus and the Holy Spirit are our protection from the onslaught of the enemy.  God’s path for us is not always smooth but in every instance He is sufficient.  Soaring for Jesus may seem impossible but I am convinced it is His plan for each of us. Hold tight to Jesus and never look down.  Keep your eyes on Him and take the most adventuresome ride of your life.

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

Angelonia

 

Angelonia sits on my patio table in all her beauty.  Angelonia is a beautiful purple-flowering plant. When I tend her regularly, she shows forth her beauty.  When I neglect her, she shrivels up and appears dead.  After watering she returns to her former beauty.  Though her blooms are lovely after I tend her there are evidences of neglect, shriveled branches and dried unopened buds.  Often watering is not enough.  She is hungry for a generous dose of Miracle Grow.  When this is applied, she thrives with gusto. Angelonia is not grounded on my table so when a strong wind comes she often topples.  When she topples, I must set her upright again picking off dead branches and give her tender loving care.

Though my name is not Angelonia I react much as she does.  Jesus came into my heart so that I might show forth His image to the world.  As long as I stay grounded in Him His character shows forth.  Like Angelonia’s broken branches my soul is wounded from neglect.  The only cure for a shriveling soul is confession of sin, repentance, prayer and once again centering on Jesus. Angelonia receives strength from a good application of Miracle Grow while Jesus restores my soul with Himself which in itself is a miracle.  How sad I allow myself to neglect my Savior and suffer the consequences.  Lord, draw me close so I won’t be tempted to neglect You.   Thank you when I do topple from the cares of the world You are faithful to come to my rescue and set me back on the path You have chosen for me.

Psalm 23: 3 “He restores my soul” This is a promise Jesus will always keep if we center our life in Him.  What a Savior we have.

A Snake at Easter

Easter Sunday was a grand church service with people accepting Christ, a blessed time with the Lord. Arriving home, the first thing I saw was a snake about 14 to 16 inches long and about as big around as a pencil resting along the shoe molding in the living room. I said, “You stay there; I’ll be right back.” I went to the garage and decided an axe was the best weapon available. When I returned he was still where I left him. Well, I axed him. As far as I was concerned that was the end of it. As I tell the story, however, the first question from friends has been, “What about your hardwood floor?” It occurred to me that I had never considered the floor. Now I realized why they call it hardwood. That axe didn’t make a dent.

The more I thought about it, I realized there was a moral in this incident.  If the snake represents the presence of evil, the devil, then one of our biggest faults in facing him is, “What if...?”  I had not considered the consequences of axing the floor.  We need to face Satan with the same resolve. We don’t need to consider “What ifs” when we face the forces of evil. How often does Satan win because instead of striking a blow for Jesus, we stop and worry about how we are going to look if we take a stand?   When Satan raises his ugly head we need to have our “axe” ready to strike. After sharing this story with a friend she said, “How does Easter fit in?”  Well, it does.  How appropriate!  On Easter Jesus crushed the head of Satan.  It is finished.  Jesus conquered Satan and transferred that conquering power to us.  Our mandate is to face the forces of evil with the tools Jesus has given us, sharpening our “axe” going out to battle and claim victory.  No more “What ifs.”

John 19:30   “When Jesus therefore had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” and He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit.”