Delay Not! God's Best Awaits Us

Delay Not!  God's Best Awaits Us

 

It's time to confess:  I'm a staller.  I never want a good book to end.  The final 50 pages can take days to read.  Even though I never read the ending until I get to it.  I dally through the closing of a book.

 

I started my current blog project over a year ago.  It should have taken me a few months at the   most,   Two entries remain.  Yet I find too many distractions to accomplish this goal.

 

The challenge of the blog series was a meditation on the sixth verse of each book in the Bible entitled with exactly 6 words.   I believe inspiration for my daily living is found in the Bible.  Would I find wisdom in each and every verse?

The advice in Jude 6 looms before me.   It may seem obscure to some.  It speaks directly. It makes me vulnerable.  It leads me to confess my feet dragging lifestyle.

 

 

 

“And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment.”

Jude 1:6 NLT

https://www.bible.com/116/jud.1.6. 

 

The mind first focuses on limits and chains.  Hence the delay tactics begin.  Have I encountered the disproof of my  theory?  There is wisdom in each and every verse.  God imparts it. Guidance is available right where it belongs.  I choose to avoid, delay and procrastinate.

 

Just yesterday, I heard myself confess to two  different sets of friends.  I don't like to submit to authority nor confess failures or inadequacies.  I try to  create my own realm.

 

Yet,  God has the place where I belong.   It is the best as God gives the Best and only the Best.  My heart searched for The place to belong when everything in the world proved a cheap imitation, not even close to The Best.

 

My new BFF arrived on Saturday.  I'm in love with the lavender.  The best surprise was the ease of acquaintance.  I thought a new phone meant discord, confusion, frustration.  I avoided the change for years, hence the minimum trade-in value. 

 

Why did I wait so long to be in the place I belong?  I want the visible and tangible, but is it The Best?  I want the immediate and grandiose, but is it The Best?

 

Jude 6 has reminded me of my position, my place of belonging--in the hands of the all knowing, ever loving God who wants me to have The Best, His Best.

 

 

 

Good Job Gaius, Continue Good Work

“They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God.”
3 John 1:6 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/3jn.1.6.nlt

 

 

"I wish I'd known him." I realized as I sat in the church pew with my coworkers listening to the dearly departed's grandchildren memorialize.   He was a great guy who lived life well and left a legacy.

 

Years later, my "AHA" moment, at a funeral I went to out of respect, challenges my approach to life. Will my life make a difference?  How will  I be remembered?

 

The third book of John makes it plain:  Love and care for others in a way to bring honor to God.   John complimented the recipients of his letter . He acknowledged their support of other itinerant servants.  John also warns them to avoid the drama too often created by human selfish pride.

 

This book  reminds me to serve others so they will not say "  I wish I'd known her" but " God is good and faithful."   

 

Walk away from selfish pride. Walk in a manner  to glorify God.  

 

Stay Diligent, Stay Obedient, Stay Loving

"You have a pretty smart boy." I spoke into a small opening in the concrete wall.  Mama turned at the sound of my voice.  She rapidly approached the opening and focused one eye directly at me.  The guide quietly mentioned I might want to take a step back.  Mama Rhino was friendly but you can't predict when a rhino horn might protrude from the opening.  From one step back, two proud mothers of sons acknowledged our common bond.

Rhinos prove to me that God has a sense of humor.  Only a mother could love such an oddly designed animal.  Our "bucket list" trip included an up close and personal afternoon with the rhinos at the wild animal park.  Baby Edward had charmed many visitors as the Rhino nation's newest, cutest and most precocious ambassador.  Edward upstaged the adult rhinos when he noticed the people with cameras by prancing in front of the adults.

Mama rhino and I share a mother's pride in her off spring.  Mama Rhino seemed appreciative of my compliment. The sixth verse in 2 John reminds of a common bond believers have--love.  Love from God, Love for 

god  and Love for each other.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am to learn that many members of your congregation are diligent in living out the Truth, exactly as commanded by the Father. But permit me a reminder, friends, and this is not a new commandment but simply a repetition of our original and basic charter: that we love each other. Love means following his commandments, and his unifying commandment is that you conduct your lives in love. This is the first thing you heard, and nothing has changed.”

2 John 1:4-6 MSG                                   

https://www.bible.com/97/2jn.1.4-6.msg

John enjoyed the report of the congregation's unifying love for each other.  He also remind them to use the love of God and others as the  standard of living life in this world.

We are living through a season when love and kindness is encouraged and is demonstrated.  Love and kindness will bind us together.  The road sign reminds:  "Stay home, Stay kind  and Stay hopeful."  John reminds: Stay diligent to the truth, Stay obedient to the commandments and Stay loving. each other.

R eal love

H appens

I n walking with

N o other but The

O ne True God

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