Good morning and happy Saturday. I hope that you are all doing well. The Lord has given us another day and another opportunity to live for Him. The question is, “What are we going to do with this gift He has given us?”
Michelle and I were blessed recently to be able to go with some good friends on vacation to Mexico. We got to stay at a beautiful place where they have a timeshare. It was a wonderful time away and a reminder of how much I love Mexico. I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with some of the locals and seeking to encourage them. One man was truly surprised when I searched for him and was able to call him by name. I am praying that he truly understands what it means to follow Jesus.
Of course, the place where we stayed was incredible. The view of the water was breathtaking. I understand why people want to go there again and again. One nice feature at our resort was a small chapel that they had built on the highest point of the property. It was definitely worth the hike up the path to visit the chapel. It was a nice place to pray early in the morning. Not surprising though, I was always by myself during the early morning. The only exception was when a tourist reached through the open window and dragged one of the candelabras across the tile and out of her way so she could plug in her phone. That was a little bit startling. I guess the idea of a sacred space was lost on her. One morning I finished praying and went outside to find quite a crowd had gathered. However, they weren’t there to use the chapel. Rather, since it is the highest point on the property, they were gathered there to watch the sunrise. For some reason it stuck me that morning while everyone peered to the horizon awaiting the sun to breech the horizon. I might add, near the chapel is a large, decorative concrete cross. People gather around the cross since it is a few feet higher above the retaining wall. In fact, people lean against the cross so they can be more comfortable waiting for the sun to rise and also watch the whales. I don’t know why but it struck me on that morning that most that gathered there were focused on what God had created and yet, they seemed to be unaware of the Creator Himself. Based on the comments that I overheard, it was primarily the enjoyment of nature. A large and prominent cross, a beautiful adoration chapel, the majesty of the sea, the glorious sunrise, and the sightings of whales, all together reminded me of the glory of the Lord. Sadly, for many others, they didn’t seem to make that connection.
As of a word of caution however, if we are not careful, we can fall into that trap as well. If we get so busy with the things of this world, we can often not notice what God is doing all around us. Often, we are too busy to notice a sunrise or sunset. We miss opportunities to hear from Him as He whispers to us throughout the day. We overlook the obvious. The cross loses its meaning to us. We no longer have a sacred space to retreat to in order to meet with God. There is a real danger in all of this. The world in which we live in will do whatever it can to help us take our eyes off of Jesus and focus on other things, including ourselves.
Let me encourage you this morning, seek to be aware of what God is doing in your life. Allow time and space for Him to speak to you and guide you.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge.
3 There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard.
4 Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun.
5 It is like a bridegroom coming from his home; it rejoices like an athlete running a course.
6 It rises from one end of the heavens and circles to their other end; nothing is hidden from its heat. (Psalm 119:1-6)
26 From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. 27 He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. (Acts 17:26-27)
From our neighborhoods to the nations,
Pastor Larry
0 Comments