August 2005

08.01.2005

ne Parson’s Opinion

It has been hot in Denver! I was told it did not get hot in Denver before I came by a committee that will remain unnamed. Ha! All I can say is that if this is a taste of the place down below, I’m glad I am not going there after death.

But it will get cool soon and then probably your pastor will be complaining about the cold.

I wonder to myself, “why I am not satisfied?” I wonder why I keep looking for something more. I wonder why I would give even a little focus to the weather. What do I really have to complain about?

I am financially rich, if you measure me by the standard of the people who live in parts of Africa and parts of South America. I am rich in so many ways beyond the financial, such as I am a Christian and going to Heaven when I die. The Holy Spirit makes the presence of Jesus real to me. I live in victory now by trusting Jesus, whatever the circumstance may bring.

I have a family who loves me. We are all healthy. We have a home (or should I say, the bank and I have a home! ha!). We have more than enough to eat and to wear. We have Bobo (well, not everything is easy to be thankful for!) Anyway, my point is, I do have a lot to be thankful for.

So, again, why do I focus on the weather?

I believe the answer is found in several different responses. First, as a result of the “fall” we have a proclivity to focus on the negative and not the positive. So, I have to intentionally focus on the good, instead of grumbling about things I have no control over, like the weather.

Second, there is a longing in us for our total redemption. We long to return, if you will, to Eden. We were made for much more than this existence. So we long for that perfect
land – the new Heaven and new Earth, where it isn’t hot!

Third, again as a result of the fall, we have a tendency to grumble, worry and complain when things don’t go, as we perceive they should go. We move to grumbling first, instead of thanking the One who will make something good out of the bad situation, like hot weather. I remind us all of 1 Thess. 5:18 “No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”.

So, being admonished by me, I am asking God to give me grace to focus on the good and not grumble and thank Him for making something good out of the uncomfortably hot weather.

Can you believe it? I was just told it’s going to be 104 today (July 21)! Ha!

See you on the Lord’s Day,

Jim

Posted by arbc at 12:58 PM