I was waiting in my car for a computer store to open. Across the parking lot from me was a van with what appeared to be a grandmother, a mother and a toddler. I sat impatiently waiting looking from one thing to another, the clock in my car being the center of my attention (minutes are long when one waits), when all of a sudden I heard screams. I looked up just in time to see the grandmother grab the toddler from traffic (it was one car but that is all it takes). Both the mother and the grandmother's screams could be heard all around the shopping area. And thankfully, the car stopped in time.
As I watched, fear shot through my body and I can only imagine how those two women felt. Immediately, it came to my mind how passionately we should be warning those who do not know Christ. We should be just as intense about lost souls on the brink, as these two women were about this little toddler approaching traffic. God, give us the words to warn and Your Spirit to make it plain and effective!
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Plants and Ants
My mother has created a beautiful floral paradise around her patio area. Recently she needed me to do the watering for her while she was away. I was walking around, with her cool hose-pipe, watering away and truly enjoying the process, when ants began crawling on my feet and legs. I'd knock them off, but it did not deter the all-out attack these determined little creatures had planned. The whole entire time I was trying to save the plants, the ants were out for the kill.
I realize the Bible gives a great, positive "ant" illustration in Proverbs, but I'm using them here for a negative illustration. (Yes, I'm bitter.) As I watered and fought the ants, I thought, "how like the Christian walk": we pray, read the Word, place ourselves under good teaching in order to represent our Lord in this world, yet the Enemy of our souls continually tries to kill our witness, our joy in his "all-out" attack against us. His plan is to make us quit. But we must persevere, "keep on watering" as we moment by moment call on God to thwart the Enemy's attacks that we will grow into the image of Christ.
By the way, I did not quit watering the plants and they are still beautiful!! Let us pray that our "watered" souls be beautiful to a needy world.
I realize the Bible gives a great, positive "ant" illustration in Proverbs, but I'm using them here for a negative illustration. (Yes, I'm bitter.) As I watered and fought the ants, I thought, "how like the Christian walk": we pray, read the Word, place ourselves under good teaching in order to represent our Lord in this world, yet the Enemy of our souls continually tries to kill our witness, our joy in his "all-out" attack against us. His plan is to make us quit. But we must persevere, "keep on watering" as we moment by moment call on God to thwart the Enemy's attacks that we will grow into the image of Christ.
By the way, I did not quit watering the plants and they are still beautiful!! Let us pray that our "watered" souls be beautiful to a needy world.
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