Tag: fall

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Laboring for God

The camera’s fall from a wooden post on a mountain in Switzerland.
2 Corinthians 11:23 (ESV)—Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.

The camera survived the fall. Twice. Once toppling from the bed onto a hardwood floor in a Pittsburgh bed and breakfast, and once tumbling from a wooden post on a mountain in Switzerland.

Not to boast, but that’s one resilient camera.

Like my camera, the apostle Paul survived a “fall” more than once in his life. He did not fall from God, though, but rather experienced falls of punishment for spreading the message of salvation. These falls could have sank his spirit. He could have given up. Pushed God’s ministry aside. But he did not. He strove to spread God’s message despite floggings and imprisonment. He did more than survive; he worked for Christ again and again.

Sounds exhausting, no? Yes, but Paul found endurance from boasting…in the Lord. Not in himself or his part in God’s ministry. He labored for God again and again because he knew effective service comes from God.

Like Paul, are we boasting in Christ again and again? Are we serving with our entire being the God who created us with the ability to bounce back from difficult situations and push forward in his ministry?

I hope the answer is a resounding “Yes!” and I pray our “afflictions, hardships, [and] calamities” (2 Corinthians 6:4, ESV) encourage us to labor for the One who created us in his image.

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Attitude of Thanksgiving and Praise

Psalm 100:4 (ESV)—"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name."
the sun shining through the leaves of a tree
a view out the front window of a car, rain splattering the windshield, trees on both sides of the road

Months ago, I booked accommodation four hours from home for my hubby and I to enjoy a weekend of hiking and fall colors. While the fall colors part came true, the hiking did not. Rain poured down. All. Day. Long. I sat on the porch swing and read a book while my hubby napped, though I eventually went inside because of the chill in the air. We also ate dinner out, though the drive through the country in the dark and rain made for slow going and white-knuckling the steering wheel (or so I assume; I sat in the passenger seat and hoped for a safe arrival and return to and from the restaurant).

I admit, my attitude wasn’t pristine during this trip; I couldn’t seem to enter “His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” God had given me a weekend with my hubby to explore a new area, and rather than cheer, I held disappointment in my heart. Yes, we shared moments of joy, such as when I saw a sign proclaiming the hometown of a famous actor/writer/singer. We also ate at a burger joint in the middle of nowhere, one I’d had on my travel list for a while.

After a night, we decided to cut our weekend short and spend the final day at home. On the drive home, we located the grave of famous actor/writer/singer, my interest piqued because he voice-acted in one of my favorite Christmas movies. The following day, we read books in our cozy chairs and visited the local coffee shop for pastries—a scandalous Monday, for sure. We delighted in being with one another, as we’d planned in the first place. On this day, I thanked God and gave him praise.

Comparing the two days, I see the discrepancy in my attitude and know I have room for improvement. The rainbows-and-sunshine moments allow for ease of giving thanks and praise. The dense fog of negativity makes for fight-or-flight moments when I can choose to dwell in the dank dimness or I can choose God, a light that never dims but waits for me in all circumstances.

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Wandering a Maze

Jeremiah 14:10 (NIV)—This is what the Lord says about this people: “They greatly love to wander; they do not restrain their feet. So the Lord does not accept them; he will now remember their wickedness and punish them for their sins.”

It’s fall again! And one of my favorite harvest-time activities is wandering through a corn maze. My hubby and make a night of it—the maze followed by dinner at a local restaurant—or even a weekend break, exploring a new area for a couple of days. (I’ll use anything as an excuse for another adventure!)

We wander each and every path of the maze, searching for the checkpoints. Each trail offers a new adventure to unexplored paths and hours of fun. Sooner or later, the last checkpoint becomes elusive and we have to stop and consider the path we’ve followed and where we haven’t been.

Much the same, the people of Judah lost themselves in maze of their own sins. Even though they repented, they chose, over and over, the path of sin. Though they checked in with God, their efforts were half-hearted and they chose the path away from God’s covenant with them.

If only they’d stopped at a checkpoint and truly considered their position.

God sets out checkpoints to guide us on our journey with him. He gives us time to check in and ask, “What path do I take? Am I on your path?” The checkpoint may be a time of rest, of listening, of a new action, of a step toward God’s path, of solitude, of silence, or perhaps something else. No matter our place in our journey with God, God holds firm to his promises when we choose the path he sets before us.