Father,
As I sit here in the late hours of this Thursday evening I find myself feeling weighed down by the events of the week, and trying to release them into Your strong, but gentle hands. You know what to do with them. I do not.
As I reflect on the days I realize that my perspective is blurred and limited. Things that I may consider as good, may not really be so good in Your eyes. Things that I consider as frustrating and discouraging, You may see as just what I need to make me stronger, build my character, and transform me more into Your image.
Even the things that I have done this week...the sermons I have prepared, the conversations I have had, the teaching that I have done, and the materials I have read...may not be as valuable I think; or, perhaps they are more valuable.
Then, when I allow myself to think about what is planned for Friday, and Saturday, and Sunday, I wonder how I will handle what You place in my hands. Will I see the opportunities, then seize it? Will I hear the message between the words that are spoken by those with whom I will converse? Will I treat each person with respect, dignity, gentleness, and kindness? Will I say the things that You want me to say in the way You want it said, and is such a way that those who listen will be encouraged and uplifted?
Father, these are the things I ponder (or perhaps they are simply ramblings) as I reflect on the days which have just passed, and upon the days ahead (should I granted more days). These are the contents of my heart. I surrender them to You. I leave them with You. Should I be granted another day, I pray that You will empower me and reveal Your presence and Your will in whatever may come my way. Into Your hands I commit my words, my actions, my attitudes, and my good intentions.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
We Value Our Freedom
A Norvell Note
Vol. 14 No. 27 July 4, 2011
We value our freedom, don’t we? On this holiday and on other occasions when we discuss freedom we are quick to express how much our freedom means to us. Some say it is our most valuable possession. Some describe it as the secret to happiness. Someone has said that, “Any existence deprived of freedom is a kind of death.” Many have died for the cause of freedom. Many are serving in places where they live with the possibility of death in their efforts to preserve freedom. Many of our children will give their lives for the cause of freedom.
Because of the value we place on freedom, when it is taken from us, or even if it is threatened, we resolve to defend it and protect it at any cost.
Aging accompanied by failing health often produces a fear of what the loss of our freedom will mean. We fear what will happen to us when we can no longer take care of ourselves. Where will we live? Will we be able to provide our own transportation, or will we be forced to depend on someone else to transport us from place to place? Will our life savings last as long as our lives? Ironically, in some cases, our fear of losing our freedom may contribute to the loss of our freedom.
As students confidently march toward the end of their education the quest for freedom intensifies. Complete freedom and independence cannot come soon enough. Often their parents agree. Any resistance to them exercising their freedom is considered cruel, foolish, and totally unfair. For the almost-adult freedom is very valuable.
As couples approach the marriage altar the proverbial cold feet may surface with thoughts of the loss of freedom. Am I really ready to settle down? Am I ready to give up my freedom? Am I willing to limit myself to one partner? Am I willing to share my space? Am I ready to sacrifice the freedoms I enjoy as a single person? When we discovers that our freedoms, as valuable as they are, fade in comparison to the opportunity to share our life with the one we love, we know we are ready for marriage.
Among the disturbing realities of recovering from an accident, illness or surgery are the limitations to our freedom of movement and activity. Our energy is depleted quickly. We need more rest. We are not as free to eat what we normally would. We may not be able to handle our normal workload. We are dependent upon others to help us do what we normally do for ourselves, or must rely completely on others to do what we would normally do for ourselves.
We value our freedom. As our freedoms diminish we grieve; as they increase we rejoice.
Freedom is also important to our Savior. In Luke 4:16-21 He included bringing freedom to the imprisoned as a major component of His mission on earth: Jesus He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (NIV)
We value our freedom for good reason: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1, NIV) On this holiday remember that in Christ we have the most valuable of all freedoms, and that the greatest who ever lived gave His life so that we can be forgiven and know true freedom.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36, NIV)
Tom
A Norvell Note © Copyright 2011. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.
Vol. 14 No. 27 July 4, 2011
We value our freedom, don’t we? On this holiday and on other occasions when we discuss freedom we are quick to express how much our freedom means to us. Some say it is our most valuable possession. Some describe it as the secret to happiness. Someone has said that, “Any existence deprived of freedom is a kind of death.” Many have died for the cause of freedom. Many are serving in places where they live with the possibility of death in their efforts to preserve freedom. Many of our children will give their lives for the cause of freedom.
Because of the value we place on freedom, when it is taken from us, or even if it is threatened, we resolve to defend it and protect it at any cost.
Aging accompanied by failing health often produces a fear of what the loss of our freedom will mean. We fear what will happen to us when we can no longer take care of ourselves. Where will we live? Will we be able to provide our own transportation, or will we be forced to depend on someone else to transport us from place to place? Will our life savings last as long as our lives? Ironically, in some cases, our fear of losing our freedom may contribute to the loss of our freedom.
As students confidently march toward the end of their education the quest for freedom intensifies. Complete freedom and independence cannot come soon enough. Often their parents agree. Any resistance to them exercising their freedom is considered cruel, foolish, and totally unfair. For the almost-adult freedom is very valuable.
As couples approach the marriage altar the proverbial cold feet may surface with thoughts of the loss of freedom. Am I really ready to settle down? Am I ready to give up my freedom? Am I willing to limit myself to one partner? Am I willing to share my space? Am I ready to sacrifice the freedoms I enjoy as a single person? When we discovers that our freedoms, as valuable as they are, fade in comparison to the opportunity to share our life with the one we love, we know we are ready for marriage.
Among the disturbing realities of recovering from an accident, illness or surgery are the limitations to our freedom of movement and activity. Our energy is depleted quickly. We need more rest. We are not as free to eat what we normally would. We may not be able to handle our normal workload. We are dependent upon others to help us do what we normally do for ourselves, or must rely completely on others to do what we would normally do for ourselves.
We value our freedom. As our freedoms diminish we grieve; as they increase we rejoice.
Freedom is also important to our Savior. In Luke 4:16-21 He included bringing freedom to the imprisoned as a major component of His mission on earth: Jesus He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (NIV)
We value our freedom for good reason: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1, NIV) On this holiday remember that in Christ we have the most valuable of all freedoms, and that the greatest who ever lived gave His life so that we can be forgiven and know true freedom.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36, NIV)
Tom
A Norvell Note © Copyright 2011. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.
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