Safe in God's love
In one of John Ortberg's books, he says: Living in Jesus' peace means I must come to think about and see the world as Jesus Himself did. I must "let world of Christ dwell in you richly."
Jesus never grew tired of teaching about this. "Why do you worry about your life, what to eat or wear?" He would ask. "Consider the lilies of the field. They neither toil nor spin." They form no floral unions, they operate without strategic plans, they never restructure. If God showers such beauty on grass that is here today and gone tomorrow - will He not much more clothe us? We are His beloved.
"Consider the birds of the air," Jesus said. They are not generally Type-A creatures. But they are fed by the hand of God.
Jesus said at any time you see a bird nibble some seeds you are not watching a random event, you are watching Love Himself at work. Watching a bird eat is such ordinary event that generally we don't even notice. But it's no accident that the food is available. Every time we wake up, think a thought, enjoy a meal, these are not random occurrences. They are Post-It notes of love that the Father keep attaching to all creation, in the hopes that someone will read them.
"Peace I leave with you; peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."
I have experienced this same care in my life.
There was a time when I was lonely and God sent me a friend.
There was a time when I needed wisdom and guidance and it came in the form of a book or a tape or a message or wise words given at just the right time.
I was discouraged and God gave me a time of worship that flooded me with hope and courage.
I was tempted but felt a tug restraining me, and I came to my senses and pulled back from something that would have been incredibly destructive.
The desert can offer an unique opportunity to experience the depth of God's love.
Jesus never grew tired of teaching about this. "Why do you worry about your life, what to eat or wear?" He would ask. "Consider the lilies of the field. They neither toil nor spin." They form no floral unions, they operate without strategic plans, they never restructure. If God showers such beauty on grass that is here today and gone tomorrow - will He not much more clothe us? We are His beloved.
"Consider the birds of the air," Jesus said. They are not generally Type-A creatures. But they are fed by the hand of God.
Jesus said at any time you see a bird nibble some seeds you are not watching a random event, you are watching Love Himself at work. Watching a bird eat is such ordinary event that generally we don't even notice. But it's no accident that the food is available. Every time we wake up, think a thought, enjoy a meal, these are not random occurrences. They are Post-It notes of love that the Father keep attaching to all creation, in the hopes that someone will read them.
"Peace I leave with you; peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."
I have experienced this same care in my life.
There was a time when I was lonely and God sent me a friend.
There was a time when I needed wisdom and guidance and it came in the form of a book or a tape or a message or wise words given at just the right time.
I was discouraged and God gave me a time of worship that flooded me with hope and courage.
I was tempted but felt a tug restraining me, and I came to my senses and pulled back from something that would have been incredibly destructive.
The desert can offer an unique opportunity to experience the depth of God's love.
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