2 posts tagged “young”
When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, Are you the One who was to come, or should we expect someone else? (Matthew 11:2-3)
Sometimes I make a prison for myself. I put myself in prison to a thought or a feeling or an attitude that binds me.
I remember a time when our sons were young and I was not making much money as a pastor of two churches in the countryside. I wrongly thought to myself, I am just working to pay bills. I am on a treadmill. My income is barely sufficient to pay for our basic needs. I am living paycheck to paycheck. I felt like I was in a financial prison. So I prayed about the matter. And here is what the Lord told me.
Darryl, you have it all upside down. There you are, doing what I had called you to do, married to your sweetheart, with three young sons, everyone in good health. Count your blessings, man! So you do not have much money, but look around, fellow! You are free to give yourself to your churches, your wife, your sons, and to Me! Money comes and goes. This time, too, shall pass. Set your mind on things above, rise out of your prison of self-defeat. I will be with you!
A peace came over me from that day. And I learned a valuable lesson: When ever a wrong thought, feeling, or attitude tries to put me in a prison of my own making, I just pray about it. And God shows me how to turn it over and see it from the sunny side, the side of God's blessings, which are all around.
Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Psalm 149:1
I like to sing. I have sung in choirs. I have sung solos. I have been in quartets. Singing lifts the heart and spirit. Singing take you to a higher plane of life.
The psalmist urges us to praise Lord. How do we do that?
Sing to the Lord a new song.
When I was in seminary, I learned in worship class that altar flowers should be fresh, not artificial. "Living flowers for a living Lord." It made sense.
It makes sense that my song should be fresh and new each day, too. "New songs for a God who loves the fresh and new."
It reminds me that God's favorite activity is being creative. God's always up to something new.
We stay young and vital when we remember that about God, and about ourselves.
We're made in God's image. We're made to be creative.
So today, I will sing God's new song.
I will fulfill the purpose for which God made me.
Praise the Lord!
