This was today's verse-of-the-day from BibleGateway.com, a
site I use frequently for checking different translations and to research general
Bible questions.
Definitely a verse that applies to today, Jan. 1,
2016, agreed? WOW, I really cannot believe it is 2016 already.
Seems 2015 flew by and with it came visits from family
– all the way from Yuma, Arizona, as well as some great summer weather with
just the right amount of rain to keep my garden going and my water bill lower
than normal.
There was tragedy as well. I lost my daddy on April 1,
a void that will never be refilled. Also lost another, very young member of our
extended family, Taylor, to a car crash. Then there was Pepper, my African gray
parrot who shared my life for 24 wonderful years. When there was no one else,
there was always Pep Buddy Bird.
After Taylor’s death, I had a serious crisis of faith,
and still do to some extent, which is why my blog posts have been few and far
between in the last several months.
I am thinking that this verse may be just the
inspiration I need to get back on track and back to my faith.
The question posed about this verse in the Quest study bible is, “What
is new when someone is in Christ?” The answer, “Everything. A sinner is changed
radically – turned inside out and upside down.”
The text goes on to explain that life in Christ should
have a new direction and purpose. A life in Jesus should be one in which we
focus on our Lord and Savior, and not on ourselves.
Perhaps in my grief, I have found it difficult, if not
impossible, to direct my focus to the Jesus I profess to follow. Perhaps the
pain of the losses of 2015 have created in me a hardened heart that finds it
challenging to reorient, not only my heart, but my mind and soul as well to God’s
only Son.
This situation makes me think back to the revivals of
my youth at Patterson Park Brethren Church in Dayton, Ohio.
At those revivals folks were invited to accept Jesus as
their savior by walking down the aisle and praying with the pastor. There was
also an invitation to recommit one’s life to Jesus. While the majority of those
who made the walk were new converts, many were reaffirming their faith after
life tragedies that sidetracked them and their faith in the Almighty.
Perhaps that is what I need, a recommitment to the
Savior of the Bible; you know the One, the One who, in Luke 9:23 said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up
their cross daily and follow me.”
Maybe I need a personal revival of
faith. Maybe I need to walk that aisle. Maybe I need to take up my cross. Maybe I need to recommit my life to
Him. Maybe, just maybe I…
As I ponder this, I would pray –
May God guide and protect each and
every one of us every day in every way.
Amen.
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