Divine Providence

           

            A while back our family was facing a situation that involved a difficult decision.  I prayed that God would help us make the decision of how to handle it.  No answer seemed to come.  One day we would feel one way was the right thing to do, the next we weren’t sure.  I finally prayed that God would make something happen that would unmistakably give us the answer to our dilemma.  He did!  While we faced other decisions regarding this issue, we knew what steps we needed to begin taking.

            In a well-known Bible event, Ananias was troubled by what he saw in a vision.  He was to go see a man who was a well-known persecutor of the Jews; Saul.  Was he unsure whether he should go?  Was he uncertain about his mission?  Absolutely!  Yet, he followed his heart.  He followed the leading of the Lord and ended up baptizing Saul who became the great Apostle Paul.  (Acts 9:17b-18)

            Every day we are faced with situations that confound us.  What seems like a simple answer, somehow gets convoluted into something ridiculously disastrous!  While the answer seems right for one individual, it doesn’t suit another’s expectations.  Other times, our minds ask so many questions, we complicate what should have been an easy answer.

            These kinds of situations even turned up during the Civil War.  Brigadier General Don Carlos Buell was a respected leader during the war.  He was methodical and conscientious, with solid character and the ability to make hard decisions.  Yet, he lacked the wisdom and skill to become the leader his superiors wanted him to be. Ultimately this would affect his leadership responsibilities.

            During the war, Believers lived on both sides and prayed to the same God, certain God was on their side.  Each wanted signs they were fighting a just and worthy cause.   While we may not be in the center of a vicious war, very often in our daily lives, we reach out to God only when our own possibilities seem exhausted!  As Believers, God should be the first place we turn, instead of the last! 

            As we fight the battle of the Corona Virus, the political unrest, the protestors that cause civil unrest and all the racial accusations, it’s hard to know what to say to whom, without offending someone because they may disagree!  Each ‘side’ seems to have their own view, much like the situation during the Civil War. 

            Are all decisions clear?  No.  And sometimes we make mistakes, and are criticized for the choices made. There are times after prayer I’m still not sure I’m doing the right thing.  It could be because I really don’t want deal with an issue at hand, or, I am afraid.  It often means I need to pray more!

            Most often, however, when I follow my heart, after prayer, I can tell if I’m making the right or wrong decision.  Sometimes things just don’t work out for something I want to happen.  Is this coincidence?  I don’t think so.  I believe it is Divine Providence.  Sometimes my answer comes in a “non-answer!”  God intervenes in a variety of ways, and it is always for my good.  

Producing A Crop

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.  Luke 8:15

            While I don’t usually begin my blog with scripture, this morning’s verse seemed appropriate during reflection!  Sometimes I wonder about the last three words in this scripture: “produce a crop.”  When I hear the word “crop,” I picture a farm garden with baskets of tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, green beans or hot peppers!  

            These kinds of crops are not unfamiliar to gardeners.  Agriculture has been a staple of country sides across the US since it became a nation—and even before! The country’s development was shaped by settlers who came here to start new lives and produce enough food for their families.  

          The abundance also proved to be a source of income.  They understood growing extra food and selling it was the best way for access to cash needed to buy supplies they could not grow.  On a larger scale, commercially, cotton, wheat, corn, wood, beef cattle, hogs, and tobacco became principal cash crops.  Clearly, Americans understood….and understand the value of producing crops!        

As I look at the verse from a Biblical perspective it causes me to ask, “What crop am I producing?”  Of course, I run the silly, like beans, corn or wheat, but what can people see in me?- --- “What is my crop?”  In what ways am I fruitful?  Even the dictionary fails me: “harvested grain, fruit etc.; cultivated produce while growing.”  Yet God’s word says we are to be fruitful; to produce a crop.

            My thoughts revolve around those things I can do, although at different levels of proficiency.  I may sing in the shower, but for many years declined singing in the choir (although I have done a little of that—but would not for a moment be willing to sing outside a group effort).  My idea of good art work is a successful round circle and stick people.  My athleticism consists of walking, and the list of “non-professionalisms” is huge!  Yet God did give me some valuable gifts.  He gave me the gift of laughter and a pretty good dose of patience.  I’m a decent listener and I have the power, through the Holy Spirit, to pray for others; and He blessed me with the gift of writing.

            In a round about way, I must admit, then, I do produce a crop of “something.” It may not bring worldwide fame or millions of dollars, but if in my work (writing), laughter, patience, listening skills and prayer, I can help make a positive difference in a single person’s life toward a life of Christ, I’ve produced a worthwhile crop.

            I encourage you to reflect on your gifts; write them down if that would help.  Recognize the wealth of crops you have to offer.  Whatever you can do, with whatever gifts God has given, when done for God’s glory, is producing a crop!  And I believe that’s what God really wants.  He wants us to take the gifts he gave us, however small and insignificant they may seem to be, and share them with others. 

Mixed Blessings

           

              I read recently when a husband gives a gift to his wife, she should love it even when she doesn’t.  This reminds me of a friend of mine who many years ago received a robe from her husband, the wife honestly didn’t care for.  It was the wrong color, wrong length and wrong style.  There was little she liked about it, except it was a robe and she needed one.  My friend still has the robe and he, to my knowledge never knew of her dislike for it.  In honor of her husband’s kindness, she wore the robe and smiled, grateful for the gift!

            Shouldn’t we as Christians be like my friend toward Jesus?  How often have we received blessings from God and didn’t recognize them because we were looking for something else?  What God gave isn’t exactly what we wanted so we snubbed our noses and continued to look elsewhere for an answer to our question…or situation!

            Occasionally, even those situations that are less than attractive can be blessings if we look for it.  It isn’t always easy to see a blessing when we are unhappy, unforgiving, or unwilling to accept circumstances for what they are.

            Sometimes our blessings come from that which is around us.  Our country is an amazing place of mountains, prairies, water ways, breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, flowers the color of the rainbow, sparkling waterfalls, forests filled with wildlife and a variety of cultures which embrace God. Throughout the United States and in other areas of the world, many choose to live lifestyles which neglect a spiritual life.  Many cities, and even urban areas or country sides, refrain from worshiping, sharing or even believing in God.  

            God’s goodness which overflows into His people, compels the world to be a better place to live.  It makes the sunshine just a little brighter, the waters flowing into streams from the mountain sides a bit sweeter, the music a touch more joyful, the warmth from the people a tad more welcoming and the views from this amazing place slightly more remarkable.     

            As we live our lives, we get caught up in all that is around us, involving ourselves in events and circumstances we are sure will bring us joy.  In so doing, we sometimes miss the simple things God gives us every day.  Further, we may miss a blessing because we are focused on what we want, rather than what we need.

The scripture speaks of honoring God with our mouths, but not our hearts.  We must accept our life, look to God for changes when needed; look for and count our blessings every day.  

            God’s kindness is always available, though not necessarily in the form we expect, much like the robe wasn’t quite what my friend expected.  But like the robe that filled my friend’s need, so God is able to fill our needs when we accept his gifts.

            I encourage you to stop….just for a moment….and look around.  I’m sure you will see blessings that have been overlooked in the busy-ness of life.  Look also, at circumstances that aren’t so appealing.  Is there a silver lining?  Are you open to the joy you can receive when you accept His blessings, even if they aren’t what you wanted or expected?