Rubber On The Road  

Have you ever watched an artist work on a potter’s wheel?  It is absolutely stunning the way a common lump of clay is turned into a beautiful vessel.   

The potter’s hands are deft and skilled as the pot is made. The potter and the clay seem to become one as the vessel moves and molds to the hands of the master.   

Sometimes with a light touch, sometimes with a heavy hand, the potter forms the clay into the vessel for whatever purpose is in mind.   

In II Corinthians, Paul uses the illustration of a pot in the hands of a master potter to show how we are molded by the hand of God. Christ within us is contained and defined by the ‘vessel’.  

The purpose for which the vessel is used determines the type of vessel that is made. A vessel that is to hold water would be created differently than one that is to be used as a lantern.   

Our life events, both good and bad, are used by God to create the vessel He desires us to be.  For one person, the life events are planned to create tenderness toward the needs of others. The exact same event set in the life of another person builds strength and endurance.  

No matter what vessel you are created to be, God has a plan that will glorify Him through your life. We influence what the vessel of our life is used for by our own willingness to be formed into the image of Christ. (II Timothy 2:20-21) 

God’s plan for our lives goes far beyond ‘today’. Whereas our main concern is with our personal feelings and comfort right now; God has a plan for us that will encompass eternity.  

II Corinthians 4: 7-11 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.

My beautiful little granddaughter, Allyson, got in the car after Cheerleading practice. 

She said, “Mamaw, what do you do when somebody comes up to you and says, “You’re ugly.”?  Her big, brown eyes welled up with tears as she spoke.

Before I could say a word, her brother, Max, boldly proclaimed, “You haul off and punch them in the SNOUT hard as you can!  Then, you stand beside them laying there on the ground and say, Look again, cause I bet I look better from down there!”  

Sometimes an ungodly person, perhaps, sadly, even a Christian; will say cruel and insulting things to you.  Satan’s plan is to make you feel inadequate, tear down your confidence and destroy your joy.

As hard as it is, the best thing you can do is say nothing or return good words for the bad words said against you.  Even when you feel like punching them in the nose! 

God’s word says we will be held accountable for every word we speak.  Regardless of what is said to you or about you, ask the Holy Spirit to give you good words to say in return. 

That way God is glorified through you and you will never have to answer for cruel things you have said. In the flesh, returning good when you have been given bad is not possible.  But, in the Holy Spirit, you can do it.  

Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

Today, I sat down on a bench in the warm sunshine and watched while two of my grandsons played at the park.   

After a bit, two young mothers came and sat down across from me.  One told the other she had been talking to the little boy playing with her child and had learned that his mama was at work and his Dad had dropped him and his brother off at the park to play.   

She had discovered that he was 4 and his brother was only 6. She was trying to decide if she should call the police.  The dear woman was concerned because she had repeatedly asked this little boy where his mama and his Daddy were, and had gotten the same story. His mama was at work and his Daddy had gone home. They continued to banter about what they should do about this abandoned boy and his brother.  

The one woman inquired if the other woman had learned the children’s name.  She replied, “Yes, their names are Zack and Max.”  At this revelation, I stood up, trying to keep from laughing, and told the concerned ladies that I was the boys’ Grandmother and I didn’t think there was a problem.   

Everything the young mother had heard was absolutely true.  The only thing left out was that mamaw was at the park to meet them when their Dad had dropped them off.   

She had asked repeatedly about his mom and dad, NOT his Grandmother, and Max, being only 4 and unaware of any problem, had not volunteered the information.  

Missing information can lead to serious misunderstandings! Sometimes, Christians make a similar mistake. We read a passage of scripture and think we have all the information we need.  

When we read God’s Word, we need to read it in context, not just a paragraph here and a sentence there. Read chapters, not verses and read the entire book before you study one chapter.  

Read the Word, all of it and always with prayer for the insight of the Holy Spirit who searches and knows the mind of God.  (I Corinthians 2:10-11)

Serious errors can be made when only bits of scripture are used to explain Biblical Doctrine.  

II Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Prayer:  Father, help me to seek Godly knowledge to live by, not just a scripture to back up my opinion. Show me how to apply your Word to my everyday life so that I can live a life pleasing to you.  Amen.

Scripture reference:

I Corinthians 2:10-11 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹ For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

My mom and I took my Dad’s small dinghy with a motor mounted on the back, packed a picnic lunch and set out to explore Blennerhassett Island,  in the middle of the Ohio River.   

Once we reached the Island, we enjoyed our picnic lunch and spent the afternoon picking up interesting pieces of drift wood, talking and laughing.  It was a wonderful day! 

Come evening, we gathered our treasures and getting back into the boat, set out to cross the river to the Parkersburg shore.  Evening was upon us and we were enjoying the wonderful sunset as we headed shore side.   

About half way to the city shoreline, the motor stopped.  Mom tried to start it to no avail.  We checked the gas; the tank was nearly full.  Mom tried a couple of more times.  I tried a couple of times.  The motor never made a sputter.  As the sun set, Mom and I got the oars out of the bottom of the boat and began to row. 

After an hour of rowing, we were only a couple of feet closer to the shore line.  Our shoulders ached from the useless effort.  The night sky was twinkling with stars and the city lights on the shore line flickered at us like beacons. 

We were both exhausted, the shore was no closer and the night was beginning to chill.  My mom wisely said, “It will be easier to row without the weight of a useless motor pulling us back.” 

In agreement in spite of the consequences, we unhitched the motor and watched it sink into the blackness of the river.  We sat back down, took the oars and began to row once more.  Without the weight of the useless motor, we made steady progress and soon hit shore. 

Once home, we told my Dad about our adventure and how we had dropped the motor and that we were sorry.  Dad hugged us both and told us that the motor wasn’t any good any more anyway, that’s why the oars were in the bottom of the boat! Mom and I laughed about our river adventure for years to come!  

How often do we keep useless heavy “motors” hanging onto our spiritual boats?  We know God is faithful!  But, we’re afraid to let go of things that are weighing us down. Once we drop the “heavy motor” of our doubts, fears and daily struggles, it is much easier to row through the storms of life. 

Matt. 11:28 Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 

One Sunday, when my grandson was two years old, he was in the church nursery, playing. 

Turning suddenly, he accidentally hit a playmate on the head with his toy.  She began to cry.   

I asked him, “what do you say when you hit somebody on the head?”  The answer I expected was, “sorry”.  Instead, he looked thoughtful for a moment then replied, “Bonk”?  

Every now and then; we can find ourselves searching for the right words to bring comfort to someone.  Sometimes, no words come and we struggle to find a word that “works”.

There are other times when “I’ve been there” gives us words of comfort at just the right moment.  Life has many sorrows. It is through our own life events that we are able to fully understand the suffering of others. 

When people hurt, unless directed by the Spirit, the best comfort we can give is a hug or just being quietly close by.  Our being there can “say” more than words. Often, more than anything else, hurting people simply need the strength drawn from the knowledge that they aren’t alone. 

(II Corinthians 1:3-4)  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 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.

One day I was talking to my granddaughter, Ally, about something we had done together the summer before.

She sighed with all the patient wisdom of a nine year old and wistfully said, “but, mamaw, that’s when I was just a child!”   

As children, we often ask Jesus into our hearts; giving ourselves without reservation. Maintaining that child like commitment has everything to do with the choices we make moment by moment.

One of the things that life teaches us, through experience, is how the simplest every day decisions can affect the rest of our life. 

Whether we are young or old, every day we choose whether or not to serve God like a child; with ALL of our heart.

When we keep “living for Christ” in our thoughts; temptations are less likely to influence us in our decision making.  

When we do fall prey to temptation, our conscious awareness of Christ through the Holy Spirit brings us to fast repentance and redirection.  

The constant renewal of my commitment to serve God can also help me to overcome damage made by my past decisions.

Even the decisions others have made that have harmed me can be overcome by God’s overall plan for my life. (Genesis 45: 4-7)

Our every day life is also an on-going witness to others as our childlike trust in God’s sovereignty, no matter what circumstances are, is seen. 

During the course of the day, do I choose to be influenced by the world, or do I choose to keep my heart close to Christ in childlike innocence?  This decision is made moment by moment, hundreds of times each day.  

A committed Christian life that glorifies Jesus isn’t about long term commitment; it’s about right now commitment. 

(Luke 18:17) I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

The first time my husband went to another country on business, he did not know the culture or the people.

When he arrived, he felt out of place with their customs and lifestyles. As he became accustomed to daily life among the people, he began to pick up their language. 

Before long, he was familiar with their life styles, customs and habits as well as their language. Each day he spent in his new environment, he became more comfortable with his new friends.  

By the time he left the job site, he was able to converse and was telling jokes with his co-workers. He had even bought some clothing from a local merchant so he looked like he lived there.

The same thing can happen when we spend time with friends who are not with us in Christ.  It can be easy to participate in their lifestyle. The more we hang out with worldly friends, the more we begin to make their attitudes our own.   

It’s human nature to mimic the speech and attitudes of those we hang out with.  This is why we should make sure that our closest friends are friends who share our love for Jesus.  (II Corinthians 6:13-15) 

We are to be a witness, but if we find it is our life that is changing and not theirs; it’s time to ‘leave the land’.  God intends for us to bring them out, not for us to be drawn in.  (II Corinthians 6: 16-17) 

The scripture says we are to live as aliens and strangers in the world!  Don’t allow our minds and hearts to mimic the attitudes and activities of those who don’t love the Lord.  

I Peter 2: 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

A Life in the Day of a Fly

II Peter 3:8-9

My cousin’s niece made the observation that some types of flies only live for 24 hours. With all the wisdom of a 9 year old, she went on to say, “That means if one of them has a bad day, it had a bad life.”

We see our life in moments; what’s happening “right now.”  God sees our life through the perspective of eternity. Patiently He uses the circumstances of life to draw us toward a relationship with Him.

Life experience and Bible study have taught me that God has a plan that goes beyond what makes sense to “me.”  He even uses our moments of weaknesses and rebellion to accomplish His plan. ALL things work to our good, not just the good things.  (Romans 8:28)

God’s plan encompasses the circumstances I create for my self as well as those troubles that others cause me to be a part of. (Genesis 50:20) Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery but God’s plan prevailed!

Nothing surprises God. Everything is done in accordance with His plan to have for Himself a people who choose to love Him and serve Him. Within our heart is a space that only a relationship with our Lord can fill.

God is faithful and patient.  If we should ever think that God doesn’t understand the significance of “human pain and time,” we would do well to remember that it was a very long day at Calvary.

II Peter 3:8-9 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Prayer:  Father, help me to always keep my eyes on you. Help me to always realize that no matter what, everything that happens, even the things I don’t understand will work out if I just trust you. I love you and I thank you for loving me.  Amen.

Scripture references:

Romans 8:28  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 

Often, when I’ve asked God to change something, whether it would be circumstances or people, God changes me. 

The hurts in life sometimes scream “unfair”, especially when we have done nothing to deserve our circumstances!  The things that seem unfair are often the things that etch Christ’s compassion into our heart’s for ministry to others. 

Like our childhood led us into the maturity necessary for leading productive adult lives, our present day struggles prepare us not only to minister now, but to rule and reign with Christ in eternity.  (Romans 8:17) It’s all about perspective; we see the pain and frustration of the here and now, God sees the whole plan.

It’s difficult for our human minds to imagine a plan that encompasses eternity.  Yet, God’s Word clearly states that ‘this’ life is only part of the journey, a very small part. 

Whether the circumstances we struggle with are caused by our own actions or the actions of others, God is faithful.  When my circumstances don’t change, —–perhaps God thinks that I should.

God often uses the things of life that make us uncomfortable to mold us into the vessels He wants us to be; for ministry to each other now and for life with Him in eternity.   

II Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 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.

Do you remember the song, “This Little Light of Mine, I’m gonna let it shine! ?  Hide it under a bushel NO! I’m gonna let it shine!”

One of the greatest desires of a Christian’s heart should be to ‘let their light shine’ in a dark world so everyone can see Jesus and want what we have.   

It sounds so simple, “let your light shine”. Ask any Christian if they love Jesus and they will answer “yes”.  But, do I love Him enough to actually live as His light in a lost world?  To make daily life style choices that shine with the light of Christ?  

Living for Christ day by day is about ordinary daily life style choices that illustrate my relationship with Jesus.  I’m the light of Christ shining in the darkness; but only when I acknowledge Jesus in my attitudes, activities and actions.  Do those around me see the light of Christ shining through me? 

Ask most Christians if they would be committed enough to die for Jesus and they will give a resounding “YES”! But, living for Christ is where we lack commitment. 

Saying, “I love Jesus”, is easy. But, if I don’t have the strength to live for Jesus in front of my friends, in my work place and within my family how could I think I’d have the inner strength to stand in front of a firing squad?   

Sure, I say that I would stand up and proclaim, “I’ll die for Jesus”.  But, if I don’t have the commitment to live for the Lord every day, how can I think I’m so committed I’d actually die?  Is my light shining, really? 

Matthew 5: 14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.