Reflections4Life July 13th, 2014
“Gone”
“As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the
Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in
Him.”2 Samuel 22:31
Scripture
Contemplation: Deuteronomy 28; 2 Kings 18; Proverbs 3; Matthew 27:43; 1 Timothy
4…
What would you do if everyone you loved, everything you
had was gone? No warning. No time to prepare. Just gone? Many of us have become
lulled by a sense of security; not because we trust in God, or believe that He
can take care of us. No. We are lulled by the comfort many of us enjoy. We take
security in the things we have and the people we know.
But what if? What if you had none of those things,
and you found yourself in the midst of a war every day of your life, not
knowing if today was going to be your last day? What would you do? Who would you
trust? And could you truly trust in God to take care of you, although
everything is crumbling around you?
I declare and decree that this week’s Reflections
will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart,
mind, and soul. In a moment’s time, everything we know, believe, and love can
change. Everything can be gone. May you learn to trust in God, and allow Him to
anchor you, and receive His instructions on what it means to walk in total
peace, even when around you ensues chaos.
All around us people are suffering. They are losing someone
they love. Families are being torn apart. Children are dying. I could literally
go on. And yet, for so many of us, we take for granted the peace and safety
that we have. We seldom think about the, what if’s.
I watched several documentaries this past week, and
also read some articles while researching about the effects of war and also the
effects of gun violence on our youth and families. Perhaps some may think that
this is not something you would like to hear on a Sunday? Or, something that
you do not care to reflect upon at this time? Then when is a good time? When is
a good time to hear what the Father has to say to you? When is it a good time
to see what the Father wants you to see?
I know from experience how things can change within
a twenty four hour period. In fact, a twelve hour period. Death and tragedy
know no time frame. They can come at any time. And before you know it,
everything you love can be gone. The world you know is gone. The peace you have
is gone. And what you believe can be gone as well.
If you believe in God, and have an intimate
relationship with Him, and you are reading your scripture daily, then you know
that God has warned us that such things as this would happen in our lifetime.
It is inevitable. However, He has given us His word that He would be with us always.
That, He would never leave us or forsake us. That, although everything that we
know is gone; all has changed; He will not change. And in Him we can find and
maintain a strong foundation, and a place to move forward in.
1 Timothy 4:10 “For to this end we both labor and suffer
reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of
those who believe.”
I particularly love The Message Bible’s translation:
1 Timothy 4:6-10 “You’ve been raised on the Message
of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the
followers of Jesus there, and you’ll be a good servant of Jesus. Stay clear of
silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God—no
spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a
disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever.
You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we’ve thrown ourselves
into this venture so totally. We’re banking on the living God, Savior of all
men and women, especially believers.”
I look at the thousands of lives taken in communities
due to gun violence. Children killing children; making a sport of taking the
life of someone who may have looked at them the wrong way. Or, people so heinous
to take the life of a child just to make a parent suffer.
What do we say to the parents left behind to deal
with the lost? What, as believers can we offer? We can offer God. We can offer
our prayers. We can offer our silence and just be there. Sometimes, just being
there for someone will be the comfort that they need to begin to heal.
Far too many of us sit in judgment; especially those
of us who call ourselves believers. We are quick to pass judgment and cast
someone off, rather than be who God has called us to be: loving unconditionally,
kind, understanding, and faithful, concerned, non-judgmental, in partial, fair,
and not pompous. We use our religion as a weapon, creating toxic relationships
and pushing people away.
I’ve read the articles and watched the news
concerning the continuing war between Israel and Gaza. It has been going on
since 1948, when Israel became a Jewish state. My heart and prayers go out the people
who have lost everything. And those who have lost their entire families. I
cannot fathom what their hearts and minds must be going through, with the
thought of death a constant in the hearts and minds of not only adults, but the
children, as well.
How long would you fight for what you believed in?
Too many of us have given up on God quicker than it takes for paint to dry when
something in our lives does not go as planned. Yes. Pain is real. Tragedy is
real. Life is real. But guess what? God is real, too. And His word, His
promises are real also. And when all is said and done, and everything is gone,
God will always remain.
I decree that the spirit of peace and prosperity
will find permanent rest in your life. Life will throw us curve balls that can
take the wind out us, and cause us to fall to our knees. Allow God to lead you.
Things can and often will change without a notice. In our lifetime, we will
suffer loss, but we do not have to do it alone, and we can get through it when
our trust is in God. He is the One constant that will always remain. Trust him,
and He will lead you in perfect peace. You are blessed. Now go…and Be a
Blessing!
©2014. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.
