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When I woke up early on the fresh morning of the Sabbath discovering a strange type of head cold and realised there would be no attending the Sabbath service physically in person, it was then strong disappointment set in. We lost hot water too that same afternoon for the rest of the day adding insult to injury as they say. The following morning waking up with somewhat of a resigned acceptance of knowing a lower mood had set in, it was then that immediacy was urgent to go to God in prayer to rectify the situation. Time to develop the character needed to fight the good fight of overcoming, rather than the passive acceptance of not even trying due to fatigue on top of juggling a growing list of illnesses designed to test anyone's patience and perseverance. Readers, quite frankly, I am really tired of the devil trying to steal my joy over and over again, for our Adversary never grows weary in his attempts to make us give up (John 10:10). So many highs or peaks and so many lows or valleys. What am I doing wrong so that the incredible and beautiful joy of having a most wonderful relationship with God the Father and our Creator God, Jesus the Christ, Saviour of all cannot be sustained for any length of time, I found myself asking? After praying the hot water was suddenly restored the next day and we know we have God to thank for that. It felt as though the "tables were turning" and a power surge given via The Helper with faithful belief without doubting was the key (James 1:6-8). Sometimes this is harder to do than at other times, I am guessing depending on the problem or circumstance and whether we allow God's Holy Spirit to work within us as we get out of the way.
Weariness, tired mind, fatigued muscles and joints wearing out, a body well used over a long career but now craving peace and quiet instead of the "buzz" at work, solitude in thoughtfully laid out gardens listening to the polite and helpful chirping of little birdies with the mild and glorious weather at this time of year. This is the good prescription for a healing panacea with God at the helm overseeing all. Now to breathe, breathe in deeply the clean country air and settle back into the routine of life. Upon reflection it was a planned and concerted effort to rise in the "ascent" needed to attend the 2023 Feast of Tabernacles (FOT) and live it as if it was our last. It felt as though the test was about determining "How much do you really want it?" This year the Psalms of Ascent (120-134) in the Bible were noticeably more profound and prominent as we made our way through the battering of life. Now that we are on the other side of the FOT, there is the next challenge of rising to attend the 2024 Passover, God willing. As my focus shifted from "woe is me" to what was needed, God transported me to the necessary while in prayer, to the issue that would please Him. Preparation, self-examination, readiness to take the Passover and the absolute joy of pleasing Father and Son through faithful and humble obedience. Best to start now while things seem to be crumbling around and about due to personal situations and worldly conditions. Only God can do that — get me from one state, negativity, to another of positivity and He has done it over and over again, countless times in fact, for which thankful gratefulness seems nowhere nearly sufficient. And so joy has been restored just like that with much inspiration and motivation to tackle the next several months which include an operation in hospital shortly.
At this point of writing I am listening to the following sermon; yet again God's timing is perfect! https://www.ucg.org/sermons/peace-through-righteousness. Even if we are not in a war zone and have harmony with family, friends and neighbours, I still find myself craving peace, lasting peace. As the abovementioned sermon points out, righteousness should be at the top of our quest for becoming like Christ and what better time than to focus on this right now, today. For who knows how much longer we have because we cannot extend our lives for even one more day, let alone the next hour. Should we pray for our spiritual family to be well prepared for taking the Passover? Any spiritual gift, benefit or blessing is preferred over the physical, and if we want this with all our hearts and minds then we should do the same for others bearing in mind that we cannot get anyone into God's Kingdom nor increase the oil in their vessels for them as in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), however we can surely pray for brethren worldwide to become closer to God as in "do unto others…" known to many as the Golden Rule (Luke 6:31, Matthew 7:12). For would not this be beautiful in God's eyes as part of loving others we can read about in John 13:34-35 and from many other scriptures?
This past week has been full of ups and downs, beginning well every morning for a fresh start each day but not ending as well as hoped for, largely due to my free will choices. Lethargy and illness do not help but then again these reasons should not be used for justification purposes but rather for accurately identifying intentions of our heart (Jeremiah 17:9-10). And so, after all the encouragement from God there was a defining moment of breathtaking wowness. Is that even a word? Perhaps a better way of explaining a supernatural event to get my attention and show me how great His love is no matter how many times we may stuff up or disappoint even ourselves, God revealed more of His patience, mercy, and goodness through scripture which brings to mind Ephesians 3:14-19: "For this reason I [Paul] bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God". This is our great desire.
What a journey we are on in this life-long process of establishing and nurturing our relationship with God. Even more faith building moments undeserved but grace given nonetheless so that patience and perseverance develop when self-control seems so far away. As I was thinking about a particular scriptural verse to give to another prospective member of God's Church, I tapped the key words in the online search bar as I had forgotten exactly where they sat in the Bible. Imagine my surprise when I started reading the same words out at exactly the same time as the minister did so from a sermon I was listening to! That really got my attention as it had never happened before. What are the chances of such unexpected specificity?! And, if that was not enough the next sermon listened to contained the same verse in James 5:16. Hoping that this reinforced teaching moment will solidify in my memory so that it nestles well for future use. This experience just shows that no matter how much we may think we know God He absolutely is so incredibly powerful and awesome and delights in surprising us as we in our weak frame try hard to please and get close to Him. He is always drawing close to us; it is we that move about in our hearts and minds depending on situations, feelings, thoughts, and carnal human nature.
As soon as discouragement and disgust mixed in with a depressed attitude, God's Helper came to my rescue through prayer while owning up to my painfully obvious shortcomings. Do we beat ourselves up over falling well short of perfection? Perfection will come but for now those of us who are perfectionists find it really difficult to not measure up to Christ's perfect example. Could it be that God's comfort is freely given over and over again with no limits to us while we truly repent and have our daily exchanges communicating with the Father in a sincere heart sharing everything and leaving nothing back? This has been my experience and to know God more deeply was an unexpected treasure designed to motivate me in this present time of fighting cancer in order to not grow weary or despair or let the enemy crush me in the sifting process he enjoys so much. Becoming more beautiful with spiritual intent as increasing ugliness sets in while we go about our Father's business is our part as God reassures us with Philippians 1:6. The time is now to put in the effort needed and required to be a wise virgin. Psalm 16:3 "As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight" is written for us to take heart and prepare well knowing that God sees our potential despite our human limitations and the time is indeed becoming very short.
Psalm 16:1-11 (ESV) is just too beautiful not to share in its rich fullness from the inspired golden words of David:
" 'Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you'.
As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.
The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore".