Several people & a few reptiles were shaken up this past week when a ‘notorious wildlife smuggler’ had his bag break open at an airport in Malaysia. 95 boa constrictors came out! That’s a way to shake up any flight!
All of us have had unsuspected things happen. I’m sure you’ve been in the car with a beverage of some kind, only to have it spill out on you. The only thing that can spill out is whatever is IN the cup. The same goes for our lives. When problems & irritations arise, what comes out of us is what’s inside of us!
This summer has been a particular challenge for my family. As I look around, though, I find there are many folks/families I know that have faced even greater difficulties. Many have faced life’s crisis with grace & peace. They show God’s peace because they are filled with God’s peace.
We can only continue to carry on for so long without renewed power & strength. God created us just like a battery to have to be renewed daily. Without His filling & power we are spent & empty. When jarred & shaken, raw emotion overflows & spills over others.
This past week I studied the passage from the Psalmist, David, as he shared God’s admonition:
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.
Psalm 46:10-11 NLT
The words, ‘be still,’ in the original language, meant ‘Let go. Relax.’ One could use the phrase, “Let go & let God.” It means to quit trying &
start trusting God. We often try to run & do until there’s nothing left within us. All along God wants us to understand, apart from His power & strength, we are just wasting time & spending energy.
For the Christian, it’s a reminder that we have to daily empty ourselves of ourselves & be filled with His power & presence. John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, said, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” John 3:30 NLT. When we are shaken up, His peace comes out.
For those who’ve never given their lives to God’s leading, it’s a challenge that God is …well, GOD! If you spend the entire of your life you will never be satisfied deep within. You’ll go from one experience & activity to another & never find contentment. There will never truly be peace until you know the Prince of Peace. Not just religious talk, reality!
So, basically, for ALL of us it comes down to this: drop all the things we hold to & trust in God. I was reminded first hand this week, when I’m shaken up, what comes out is what’s inside!
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ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org
Cell: 870-217-9376
Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Dave’s Desk - http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com
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