The Payoff of Persistence

Scripture Focus: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28

Slugs and Snails are abundant here in Istanbul.  Until recently, I thought they were confined to the lower realms. Those tenacious little creatures have proven me wrong. One day last week my daughter and I marveled at a little snail which had managed to make its way up to our 2nd story kitchen window. Who says snails don't long for a higher realm, a place to catch a glimpse of something other than dirt and weeds? A bit of fresh air?

A few days later as I crawled out of bed and made my way to the bathroom, I almost stepped on a big slug meandering across the parquet floor. I was bewildered as to how a slug made it up to the third floor of my home AND managed to creep its way indoors!  I must give credit to Istanbul slugs and snails for their persistence.

A little more persistence could be just what we need to make steady progress toward our goals and dreams. Often, the assumption is that doing more and going faster are the answers. Persistence with payoff, however, must be grounded in the substance of rest, reflection, and a good dose of play from time to time. This is one important aspect of self-care, giving us the staying power we need to make it to the finish line.

The slug, as it moves along, secretes a layer of mucus that it travels on, which helps prevent damage to the foot tissues (Yes, slugs do have feet!). Similarly, intentional time-outs for rest and reflection protect our souls from burnout. Like the snail confined to the ground, sometimes we lose heart, hope and strength because we fail to see the forest through the trees. Could it be time to step back, find a place of rest, and see from a new vantage point? What might God be waiting to show us? To give us?

Thought for the Day: Persistence which God rewards is grounded in rest.

Prayer: Jesus, as You invite me to come, You offer the enticement of rest. I accept Your invitation to enter into Your rest today. Help me to draw from your strength and grace in order to accomplish the work you've given me to do.

Image Source from the story Slugs and Snails by Jenny Blackford

Delusional Pigeons

I used to raise pigeons as a teenager, so I have a fairly good understanding of their behavior. But today I was given a reminder. As the bus I was riding on came to a standstill in traffic, I spotted out my window a group of pigeons. One little fellow in particular caught my eye. He was strutting around the others (I assume they were females) showing his manly pigeon figure and colorful array of feathers. The other pigeons seemed to be ignoring him as they picked and scratched at the ground for whatever it was they were eating. His efforts to draw attention to himself seemed in vain. Was he delusional or just very hopeful?

While I pondered the pigeons, the verse came to me, "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you." (Romans 12:3)

I wonder, how many times have I tried to draw attention to myself while the world around me goes about its business? Have I fallen into moments of "delusion", trying to conjure up some false image of myself to impress others?  It's so easy to get caught up in appearances and lose sight of who we are in Christ. It's time to let His image in us be that which grounds us emotionally and speaks to others spiritually. Our opinion and beliefs about ourselves must represent what God says; anything less is delusional, a break from reality.

Prayer: Dear Lord, my efforts to be noticed may or may not show on the outside, but you know my heart.  I receive the grace you have already given to me, in order that I might have a realistic opinion of myself and an unwavering trust in you.

What's that Smell?

Read 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Scripture Focus: Ephesians 5:1

Isn’t it amazing how our memories can be awakened by certain smells, taking us to a person, place or thing from our past? This past winter as I was working in my garden, I noticed one rose just starting to bloom. Fearing the approaching cold would hinder it, I clipped it off and brought it indoors. Over the next few days, the rose unfolded and subsequently gave off a beautiful scent which filled our living room.

The flower’s aroma took me back to childhood visits to grandma’s house in Northern California. Her home was filled with the scent of rose. There are other things I remember about those visits: Grandpa snoozing in his recliner. The feisty little Yorkshire terrier running around the house. But the aroma…that’s what hit me the most.

We’ve been created to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere (2 Corinthians 2:14). This happens when we imitate our Lord’s example of love and sacrificial service (Ephesians 5:1). In the same way the scent of a rose conjures up a pleasant memory, our lives of service are meant to remind people of their loving Creator and His plan for them. What could be more pleasing to our heavenly Father?

Thought for the Day: What am I doing to remind others of God’s love for them?

Prayer: Lord, help us to be joyful imitators of your Son. May our lives give off the fragrance of Christ to those who may need a reminder of just how much you care for them.