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Scripture for the day: Psalm 119:129-130 Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
Thought for the day: One of the unpleasant realities I’m discovering as I grow older, is that some things that used to be taken for granted as simple and easily accomplished, have suddenly taken their place in that vast land we call positive memories. Let me share one with you (though I’m not completely convinced that I can’t still live through the experience again).
For a number of years, I and some friends regularly made our way to the north woods of Maine to spend a few days in Kayaks and tents. There is an excursion called the Moose River Bow trip, a course of about 35 miles, including two portages. We liked to think we were “communing with nature,” or perhaps getting back to the basics of life for a few days as we left the hectic schedules of modern life behind. The trip begins on the banks of the Moose River, in Jackman, Maine. We paddled up the river and through Attean Lake, where the wind always seemed to be blowing a gale against us. Reaching the western extreme of the lake, we would carry our provisions and kayaks a little over a mile through the woods to the shore of our next body of water, Holeb Pond. When we finally reached our first camping place, we would be some 30+ miles from the nearest point of electricity. Computers, cell phones, pagers and all the other modern electronic gadgets that keep us bound to our world were left behind and we were forced to depend on our own abilities, or lack of them, for the next few days. For the most part, the trip consisted of simply making our way down the Moose River, camping by the edge of the water each night and, hopefully, catching a few fish along the way. In short, life intentionally became simpler for each of us. And, from time to time at least, simplification is not only better, it can be essential.
Scott and Tom went camping. After they got their tent all set up, they fell sound asleep. Some hours later, Scott woke his friend and said, "Tom, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."
Tom replied, "I see millions of stars."
"What does that tell you?" asked Scott.
Tom pondered for a minute, then said, "Astronomically speaking, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies, and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Time wise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three in the morning. Theologically, it's evident the Lord is all-powerful and we are small, and insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you, Scott?"
Scott was silent for a moment, then said, "Tom, you idiot, someone has stolen our tent!"
I’ve noticed that many of us have a tendency to make things too complicated when it comes to the things of the Lord and our faith. Jesus said, “Unless you become as a little child you cannot enter the Kingdom of heaven.” Children are trusting; children are unpretentious; children are, in short, simple. If you tell a child something, unless you’ve already proven yourself untrustworthy, they will believe you – and they will act on that belief.
We, on the other hand, have much too serious a tendency to allow all the experiences of our lives interfere with the simple trust the Lord asks of us. “I believe God can do anything, but…”. But what? But not in your case? But not this time? But not for you? The commands of God, the laws of the Lord, the requirements of faith are simple. Can’t we just keep it that way?
Now go take on your world. - Bill