I am coming quickly. Hold fast to what you have in order that no one might take your crown. Rev. 3:11.
I have three children who are just about grown up now. But while they were all born to my wife and me, they are all different. For example, when I used to read them stories in the evening, the oldest would tend to repeat everything I said, trying to tell the story better than I had just done. The middle child would try to get into my lap so he could see the pictures. The youngest would bounce around the room acting out the different parts of the story. While all of these behaviors were at times annoying, each child exhibited a unique learning style.
Now the differences show up in the way they handle money. One likes to hoard everything for a "rainy day." She usually has each semester of college paid up in advance before the application of subsidies or scholarships. Another child tends to spend every dollar as soon as it comes in, or even beforehand (a persuasive borrower), but almost always spends that money wisely on things that will make a difference on the long run. The third child is just as quick to spend money, but tends to use it for short-term indulgences such as candy, computer games, and cheese breadsticks. As parents we advice, but we also allow them to make some mistakes so they can learn.
When the oldest was about 3 years old we visited another couple who had a child her age. Early on the mother distributed some raisins to both children. Later in the day I noticed that my daughter was doing everything one-handed. In playing games she would move the pieces with the same hand each time, the other hand held out of sight. Even while eating she didn't dive into the food with her usual two-handed vigor. It finally became evident that she had balled the other hand into a fist and that she wouldn't loosen it for anything. When I asked her to show us what as in her hand, she shyly opened it for inspection to reveal about eight raisins. Liking raisins, she had decided to save them for a "rainy day." She hung on to those raisins as if her life depended on it.
Jesus encouraged the Philadelphians to "hold fast" what they have. They must cling to certain values as determinedly as my daughter did to her raisins. Jesus wanted them to hang on tightly to their salvation (John 10:29). He wanted them to hang on to their patience and not move ahead of God's plans for their lives. And He wanted them to hang on to their consistency in obeying Him and in doing good.
So never give up! Hang on tight to all that truly matters. Jesus is coming soon.
Lord, help me identify the things in my life that truly matters to You. I want to hang on to them with all the strength You can give me.
I have three children who are just about grown up now. But while they were all born to my wife and me, they are all different. For example, when I used to read them stories in the evening, the oldest would tend to repeat everything I said, trying to tell the story better than I had just done. The middle child would try to get into my lap so he could see the pictures. The youngest would bounce around the room acting out the different parts of the story. While all of these behaviors were at times annoying, each child exhibited a unique learning style.
Now the differences show up in the way they handle money. One likes to hoard everything for a "rainy day." She usually has each semester of college paid up in advance before the application of subsidies or scholarships. Another child tends to spend every dollar as soon as it comes in, or even beforehand (a persuasive borrower), but almost always spends that money wisely on things that will make a difference on the long run. The third child is just as quick to spend money, but tends to use it for short-term indulgences such as candy, computer games, and cheese breadsticks. As parents we advice, but we also allow them to make some mistakes so they can learn.
When the oldest was about 3 years old we visited another couple who had a child her age. Early on the mother distributed some raisins to both children. Later in the day I noticed that my daughter was doing everything one-handed. In playing games she would move the pieces with the same hand each time, the other hand held out of sight. Even while eating she didn't dive into the food with her usual two-handed vigor. It finally became evident that she had balled the other hand into a fist and that she wouldn't loosen it for anything. When I asked her to show us what as in her hand, she shyly opened it for inspection to reveal about eight raisins. Liking raisins, she had decided to save them for a "rainy day." She hung on to those raisins as if her life depended on it.
Jesus encouraged the Philadelphians to "hold fast" what they have. They must cling to certain values as determinedly as my daughter did to her raisins. Jesus wanted them to hang on tightly to their salvation (John 10:29). He wanted them to hang on to their patience and not move ahead of God's plans for their lives. And He wanted them to hang on to their consistency in obeying Him and in doing good.
So never give up! Hang on tight to all that truly matters. Jesus is coming soon.
Lord, help me identify the things in my life that truly matters to You. I want to hang on to them with all the strength You can give me.
RSS Feed
