I recently started reading through the book of Jeremiah, and, as expected, I have been learning a bit about the nation of Israel turning away from the Lord. One verse in particular held my attention extra long. “…They, their kings, their princes and their priests and their prophets, who say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ For they have turned their back to Me, and not their face; but in the time of their trouble they will say, ‘Arise and save us.” -Jeremiah 2:26b-27.

It made me think about our wonderful tree-hugging, Mother Earth-loving zeit-geist. Even though this was written to the Jews over 2000 years ago, it still rings true for our culture today. We would rather lean on our own understanding and let the stars direct our paths than acknowledge the Lord. But no matter how we try to veil the facts or just ignore the truth, there really is a holy and righteous God who created this mind-blowing universe.

“The heavens are telling the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day unto day pours forth speech, and night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard. Their [sound] has gone out through all the earth, and their utterances to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; it rejoices as a strong man to run his course. Its rising is from one end of the heavens, and its circuit to the other end of them; and there is nothing hidden from its heat.” -Psalm 19:1-6.

I have become very interested in astronomy lately, and these verses only amplify my curiosity and amazement. When my family and I went to the Creation Museum a week or two ago we got to go to their planetarium. It was absolutely astounding! Not only was the program well laid out and the graphics visually mind-boggling, but the sheer fact of how big this place is and how God made it just for His glory and our enjoyment brought tears to my eyes. Even the name Proxima Centauri still gives me chills down my back. All those light years, globular clusters, and other solar systems really make one feel small. And to think, the God who made all that made us! My brain is about to explode from amazement!

-BreezyTulip

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” -Colossians 3:1-4

The other day I found my long-lost highlighter and decided it was time to do a little up-dating. I needed to go through my Bible and highlight some of the verses I am always trying to find but not sure where to look. After some time I had tracked most of them down.

But when I came across this one in particular, it almost came as a surprise. Some verses just seem to do that for one reason or another - pop out - especially when we are just barely wrapping our brains around them. I had to read it over a few times before I thought myself ready to take it in. “‘…Raised in Christ…’ hmmm, ‘…Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth…’ things above? not on earth? ‘…your life is hidden with Christ…who is our life…’ hmmm, too much self-sacrifice…oop! Did I say that outloud?” Oh, eh-hem, I mean, that’s a lot of self-sacrifice there, to set my mind on the things above, not to mention forsaking the world and all its tasty morsels.

I have to make myself stop and remember what I am to be about. I was created for the glory of God, not mine. This life is not worth living if its not for the King. It’s the daily renewing of my mind, the hour-by-hour sacrifice, the minute-by-minute denial of self that the Lord requires. He commands us to take every thought captive to Him, and let His Word richly dwell within us. It is this life full of menial tasks, frequent aggravations, and distracting amusements that we are to live, that He redeems, and we are to find joy in, when we are filled with His grace. Killing the old man, his desires and hatreds, passions and abominations, we must give ourselves up as Christ did for His Church, without restraint, without hesitation, without holding back a portion for ourselves.

I know I fall miserably short of giving God the cheerful heart of service I ought. There are times when a life all to myself and my desires are very tempting to follow. I often seek to please no one but myself and often weasle my way out of simply bringing a loved one a bit of happiness. But praise God, for His mercy lasts for ever! Those times I give into the old man are also times I am haunted by the Spirit and know I have wronged my Lord. He chastens those whom He loves.

As I read that verse a while back, it [naturally] reminded me of a dear poem by George Herbert:

“COLOSSIANS III. 3.
OUR LIFE IS HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD
That LIFE hath with the sun doth a double motion.
The first IS straight, and our diurnal friend:
The other HID, and doth obliquely led.
One life is wrapt IN flesh, and tends to earth;
The other winds t’wards HIM whose happy birth
Taught me to live here with so THAT still one eye
Should aim and shoot at that which IS on high-
Quitting with daily labor all MY pleasure,
To gain at harvest an eternal TREASURE.”

“He is no fool who gives that which he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” -Jim Elliot

“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” -Titus 5:5-7

-BreezyTulip