 |
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
The Messenger
By Phillip Rutledge
Returning to my occupation after a vacation is not always easy but there is an upside to it, too. Even though I am back at work, the joyful memories of our holiday linger on. For nine years now our family has been blessed with the privilege of a week on a lake just this side of heaven. The beauty of God’s creation abounds; warm breezes, the smell of pine, silky lake water and the sound of the loons. Although there are activities galore, my wife and I enjoy simply relaxing in a chair by the dock with a book; and Judy with her cup of tea.
Scripture says, be still and know that I am God. In this hectic day to day world we live in, it’s easy to forget how good it feels to simply “be still”. Like the prophet Elijah, it is in this calm that we can hear God; if we just take the time to listen. The LORD said to Elijah, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Elijah searched the thunder of the wind, the trembling of the earthquake and the power of the fire but the LORD was not to be found. Then after the fire the LORD spoke – in a gentle whisper.
In recent years, with the encouragement of my family I shed the presence of laptops, cell phones before leaving on vacation. For seven days I am able to relinquish the concerns that sometimes accompany timelines and daily “emergencies” and allow myself the time to savour the peace and serenity found in the nature found at the lake. Oh, how I enjoy the tranquillity.
“Ok” you say, “That’s all well and good; but what about the other fifty one weeks a year?” Perhaps you’ve experienced times when your world seemed ready to spin off its axis and vacation is a long way away. The truth is, you don’t have to wait for the perfect time or setting and you don’t have to go it alone. The good news is Jesus.
Just as Jesus calmed the sea in the middle of a storm two thousand years ago; God’s power is available now through the Holy Spirit – The Comforter. There is really very little you need do to feel His presence or hear Him whisper. You don’t even have to wait until Sunday morning. That calmness is only a prayer away. I have seen it happen at the cottage; I’ve seen it happen at the edge of a hospital bed.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NIV) “ … the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
Do you long to experience the peace and compassion of the Comforter? Would you like to hear the gentle whisper of God’s voice? With a prayer in your heart, invite Jesus into your life today.
If you have any comments I would love to hear from you. My email address is TheMessenger@staidansministries.com
... back to "Inspirational" main page
|
|
|
 |
