LET'S HELP SHOVEL AWAY THE SNOW
Build up a highway, build it and clear the track, sweep away all that blocks my people's path. Isa. 57:14, N.E.B.
During the night more than a foot of snow had fallen, blowing into two-and three-foot drifts. All traffic had come to a standstill, and snow removal equipment was out in force. The workers were reinforced by many in the community who cheerfully volunteered their help, bringing with them shovels and mugs of hot drink. By noon the highway had been cleared enough to allow vehicle passage again.
Few things are more frustrating than not being able to get where you need to go. Waiting for someone to arrive can be equally disconcerting. If anything can be done to alleviate the problem, it is done--gladly and with no thought of remuneration. There is great satisfaction in being a part of the solution. All the more so when the solution brings you together with someone whom you desire to be with.
God built a "highway" between heaven and earth in the person of His Son. Too often the "highway" is so cluttered with misconceptions that we are prevented from having free access to the Father. We become "snowed in" and wearied in our journey to the kingdom. Of one thing we can be certain: Our anxiety is more than matched by the longing of the One who awaits our coming.
God is in the process of clearing the track and sweeping away all that blocks our path. Not only may we benefit from His actions; we may be part of the solution. We may bring our own "shovels' --our willingness to share what we are learning about our Father--and "mugs of hot drink"--our genuine compassion and caring involvement with other "snowbound" travelers.
For example, when we learn how reasonable and realistic God is, we become reasonable and realistic with others. God does not expect us to float mystically over the top of this troubled life, our "faith" some sort of invisible magic carpet that will transport us to an ethereal kingdom. His desire is that we live where the "rubber meets the road." If our concept of God leaves us concealing sweaty palms, there is no use pretending that we are anxious to live in His presence forever. Nor can we ever adequately "clear the way" for another.
We need "down to earth" religion. That's where God's "snow plows" are at work!
Build up a highway, build it and clear the track, sweep away all that blocks my people's path. Isa. 57:14, N.E.B.
During the night more than a foot of snow had fallen, blowing into two-and three-foot drifts. All traffic had come to a standstill, and snow removal equipment was out in force. The workers were reinforced by many in the community who cheerfully volunteered their help, bringing with them shovels and mugs of hot drink. By noon the highway had been cleared enough to allow vehicle passage again.
Few things are more frustrating than not being able to get where you need to go. Waiting for someone to arrive can be equally disconcerting. If anything can be done to alleviate the problem, it is done--gladly and with no thought of remuneration. There is great satisfaction in being a part of the solution. All the more so when the solution brings you together with someone whom you desire to be with.
God built a "highway" between heaven and earth in the person of His Son. Too often the "highway" is so cluttered with misconceptions that we are prevented from having free access to the Father. We become "snowed in" and wearied in our journey to the kingdom. Of one thing we can be certain: Our anxiety is more than matched by the longing of the One who awaits our coming.
God is in the process of clearing the track and sweeping away all that blocks our path. Not only may we benefit from His actions; we may be part of the solution. We may bring our own "shovels' --our willingness to share what we are learning about our Father--and "mugs of hot drink"--our genuine compassion and caring involvement with other "snowbound" travelers.
For example, when we learn how reasonable and realistic God is, we become reasonable and realistic with others. God does not expect us to float mystically over the top of this troubled life, our "faith" some sort of invisible magic carpet that will transport us to an ethereal kingdom. His desire is that we live where the "rubber meets the road." If our concept of God leaves us concealing sweaty palms, there is no use pretending that we are anxious to live in His presence forever. Nor can we ever adequately "clear the way" for another.
We need "down to earth" religion. That's where God's "snow plows" are at work!
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