1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Have you ever gone through a chaotic period in your life to finally reach the point where you feel things are working out for you? Maybe after a series of highs and lows on a project at work it is beginning to settle into an even flow? How about just enjoying the five minutes of peace before the next emergency you know will come along?
Most people try to get to a place in life so they can enjoy the fruits of their labor. However, too many times we find that some of those fruits end up being sour or are not the ones we wanted it all. It would be too easy to panic, but the steps we take next to balance the flavor can really affect our further journey through life.
When we encounter something displeasing the tendency is to just throw it out or not think about it. This often leads us to repeat certain parts of what we’re trying to accomplish causing it to take much more time than we wanted. If we would have taken a moment to check everything over we would have seen that only a small part was rotten, needed to ripen further, or just replaced with another kind.
Finding that balanced flavor in anything that we do can always be a challenge. This could also take some time as we learn what is working and what is not, but sometimes we don’t want to have to wait any longer than we have to. We often don’t care that we may only need to let it mellow so that the flavors begin to balance themselves out.
It is much like trying to find that steady glow of your fire so you are not too hot or too cold. As we found out before, moving too quickly or in a frenzy can cause our fire to get out of control and consume us. While moving too slowly or giving up can cause the fire to go out entirely. So just like the different fruits in our lives, what do we do when each fire, each piece of wood, and each of us are different?
Patience and clarity are two of the main areas we have to pay attention to. If we don’t have the patience to just sit and watch the fire burn, we may be tempted to adjust the logs or throw more on. Both actions can quickly change how the flames react. Clarity would be knowing which log to adjust or when and where to add that next piece.
I know I have been guilty of impatience many times over the years, where I didn’t want to wait for an answer or I didn’t take the time to understand the situation before jumping to a conclusion. Like sending too many emails or making too many phone calls to find out what’s going on. Maybe filling my own information in the blanks of a situation rather than asking a question that would have prevented the overreaction. So again, clarity and patience.
Think of times over the years that you have taken that extra moment to wait or asked those questions before proceeding. You may have pushed through the situation yourself or could have relied on others to help you through. Maybe you were like me and spent too many years gutting through many difficulties without reaching out to anyone. As with many things in my life, I did not find much peace and discernment till I trusted God with my life.
I did not know how lost I was till I finally sat next to the Lord to enjoy the warmth of the perfect fire on a chilly night. I found the rest I was seeking from the exhaustive battles I had been going through. I also found the strength and peace from Isaiah 26:3-4, “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.”
Once we find this peace that the Lord provides, we cannot get lazy or go back to doing business as usual. We have to remain faithful to the Lord and be thankful for the peace and everything else he has given us. One of the easiest ways is to spend some time in God’s Word. Here we find encouragement, hope, and answers to life’s questions. We will see people and situations differently and find the strength to keep moving forward in faith.
In Romans 10:17 we see one of the main sources where faith comes from, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The Bible is better than any other self-help book ever written because it is filled with the Spirit breathed words of God, not the interpretations of man. If we take the time to read a devotion every morning or to study His Word each day, we will find even more meaning and find greater peace.
If you are not sure where to start, many churches have a recommended devotional, there are also monthly, quarterly, or even yearly books available to get you started. If you want to study the Word, you can find groups at most churches as well, you can look for ones in your local area, or even start one yourself. In our modern world it has never been easier with the access to online apps and material.
So, take some time to enjoy the steady glow the Lord provides. While you wait for the clarity of where He wants you to add another log, use the light to read more from His Word. Now please join me “At the Fire Ring” for Part III and as Romans 15:13 (NIV) says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
AT THE FIRE RING (PART III)
I can see Lord how the fire has been rekindled as the flames again erupt,
I was wrong to begin losing faith when the end seemed so abrupt.
I now feel the warming heat starting to rise as the fire is quickly spreading,
Melting away all those new found doubts and everything I had been dreading.
I can now see a path in the distance as more light begins to rise,
It is overcoming the darkness and replacing all the lies.
As I gather more wood to keep it burning, one thing I need to know,
How can I tell how much to add to just sustain this steady glow?
Child, you have all the information you need so that you can decide,
When you lean on me as you make your way, I will also be your guide.
Though you were seared by the heat and felt left in the darkest cold,
You still continued to remain faithful not straying from My fold.
Just calmly stand with Me being watchful as fire continues to burn,
As you bask in the warmth when to add more tinder you will learn.
You have humbly come to Me in prayer asking for what you need,
Continue to remain patient till it’s time for blessings to be received.
Simple Faith Christian
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Simple Faith Christian 