Green Pastures and Still Waters
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“Bah-Humbug”
That phrase is more commonly used at Christmas because of the curmudgeon Mr. Scrooge in Charles Dickens’s story, “A Christmas Carol.” I have to confess; I was a closet curmudgeon for a few years about all Holidays. Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter all just seemed too religious and or commercialized. “Read this, say that, buy a card, sing a song, blah, blah, blah.” I’m over it. I can really see how this annual rhythm is helpful to attentive hearts. During Advent, we prepare our hearts to celebrate the historical reality that God took on flesh and dwelled with us. At Christmas we celebrate as the angels did. God is with us! During Lent we set some things aside so we can think about something better; namely that the Lord Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God that came to take away the sin of the world. With prepared hearts, we gather reverently on Good Friday to remember that Jesus went to the cross for our sins—our sins! Not His. He was forsaken that we might be brought in. We wait. Easter Sunday morning we gather in bright clothes and with new hope—Jesus Christ is alive, risen from the dead, victorious over the grave and we are sure to join Him and see Him as He is! Sing. Celebrate. Eat. Join the spring-time rhythm of new life not only in the gardens and fields but in our hearts. So, no bah-humbug for me this year. Jesus has come and nothing can separate us from His love! Let that warm your heart to praise, to faith, to acts of service and to love.
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“Keep Striving”
The English word “strive,” means “to make great effort, to try very hard.” So, in our life with God, should we strive or be at rest? Actually, as odd as this sounds, we should strive to be at rest. There is a striving that leads to rest and there is a striving that wears us out. For example, if we are trying very hard to gain God’s approval, we’ll get worn out. We’ll always wonder if we have done enough. On the other hand, if we make great effort to understand the gospel and believe it, we can be at rest knowing that in Christ we are dearly loved children of the Most High God. Here is another example. If you are reading this, you are most likely already saved. However, there may be some things that you are “striving” about. Maybe you are grasping for security or clamoring for attention or working to get control of a situation. You’re probably worn out. There is a better way, but even people that have believed God for a forever life with Him often miss out on present life with Him. Striving to enjoy His life now means active obedience to whatever you know to do while leaving the timing and the outcomes in God’s hands. That will take some work. You’ll need to dedicate time to reading God’s Word so you can get to know Him better. You’ll need to set aside some time to pray so you know how to apply the Word to your particular situation. And, you’ll need to train yourself to rest in God’s grace. So, there is a strife that is unhealthy and there is a striving that is necessary. “Let us strive to enter His rest.”