Weather the storm

Psalm 1:3 says, “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither:

And whatever he does shall prosper.”
That sounds great, I mean really, really awesome. Imagine always being positive and prosperous. Sounds like a dream. It must be possible because it says so in the Bible. I believe that. But what about the times that aren’t so great? What about the storms and the drought and the famine? There are times in everyone’s life where we just aren’t on top of the world and when everything around us seems to be falling apart. What about those times?

We went to the beach this morning and despite the fact that the weather here in town is unbearably hot, it was quite windy and cool at the beach. Not so bad I couldn’t take a dip in the cool water, but certainly not an ideal beach day. After I came out of the waves I noticed that on top of one of the high rocks there were plants growing. It’s actually quite a famous rock called Carriage Rock and it has a hole going all the way through.

As I looked at the plants struggling to survive on the top of that rock I wondered whether I would be able to survive in such harsh circumstances. There is absolutely no shelter whatsoever from the wind, rain and sun. The soil that there is can only be extremely shallow. So with almost no room for roots to grip, and not shelter from the elements how do these plants survive? I think it is by shear willpower. For the seeds to germinate in the first place is a miracle and now they are growing despite everything being against them. There are people like that. People who survive against the odds, who just press on and keep on going despite everything that life throws at them. They don’t look to others to sustain them, they don’t ask for handouts. They are the survivors, the salt of the earth, the overcomers.

Carriage Rock

Just like those plants on to of the rock they have built the houses of their lives on the rock and the winds and the rain cannot wash them away because they have found the Rock who is their firm foundation. In spite of their circumstances not being ideal when you see them you would think that they are the trees planted beside the waters because they are bearing fruit. They are positive and they are thriving. 

Let us all be like these plants on the rock and not allow our circumstances to determine our attitude.

Work and Passion

Matthew 6:21 – For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be

 

Read in context this verse says you must not lay up treasures on earth where they can decay, but you should rather lay up treasures for yourself in heaven where they will be eternal. I’ve heard a few explanations and I have had a few theories myself regarding this verse. Then I started thinking. What if I give away everything I have and decide to trust God for food, clothes and shelter? Will God provide for me? I’ve heard a few people say that that’s what you should do to prove to yourself that God will provide for you. But, the bible also says in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 – “If you don’t work, you don’t eat”.  So, in other words, we are actually expected to work.

 

My next point is: Does it matter what work you do? Is there some divine plan that goes something like, “If you don’t do the work that God had in mind for you before the creation on the world, its going to be futile and you’re going to lose all the rewards that you would have got in heaven …” ???

 

I do believe that God puts dreams into our hearts and that there is something that is perfect for every one of us. I really believe that with all my heart. I do not think that it will necessarily be our job that we get paid for. I also do not think that everyone will only have one thing – one passion – that they will follow all their lives. Some are lucky enough to know what drives them from a young age, and others take a number of side roads in their search for their passion. Some people never find it.

 

I decided last year that I don’t want to be an old woman who lives with regrets. I must decide on what it is that makes my heart beat faster while I still have the energy to follow it. I prayed and I thought and what I decided was that I want to write. In fact, I remember that ever since I could read I have wanted to write a book. So I took action and enrolled in a creative writing course. This was at the beginning of December and I am having so much fun.  I wake up in the middle of the night and think about characters, lots and scenes. I am very motivated to get my assignments done because it doesn’t feel like work.

 

I just want to urge anyone who hasn’t found that elusive “passion” not to stop searching for it. It does exist and you will be so happy when you discover it. In the meantime, carry on working, you don’t want to starve!

Grace

Thank you Lord! It is raining. Soft soaking rain. The kind of rain we need. It is only by God’s grace we receive any blessings. 

I was inspired by the rain – the glue isn’t quite dry yet!

T