Insightful Musings on theScriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Greetings, dear ones.
Thankfully, the full day and scheduled plan for yesterday worked out about as close to perfect as a plan can be expected to work. We came home with an ice chest full of fresh tuna—including about 25 pounds of blood line scraps that we’ll process for animal food. We departed Newport with 7 hot fudge sundaes from McDonalds being happily consumed aboard the van. Now the work begins.
Becki will be showing up soon so we can do a little walk/jog excursion—part compensation for the hot fudge sundaes. We may be able to pick a few blackberries again too. I hate blackberry vines, but I sure love their fruit in season—another love/hate relationship.
I guess we all need to learn how to enjoy the sweet fruit of our prickly problems. Selah. Blessings.
Love, Dad/Ray.
Paul points to the experience of Elijah as an example rich with lesson value. It is interesting to note that Elijah, following the big “victory” on Mt. Carmel, was led to believe that things were 7,000 times worse than they really were! It put him into a state of depression. Imposing a distorted and hopeless perspective is what depression does. Be reminded that depression is NOT a fruit of the Holy Spirit—so we are wise to utilize every resource to defeat it. Elijah was convinced that HE was the ONLY righteous one left. In so many words God said to him, “You’re talking nonsense, Elijah. Do you really think you’re the ‘Lone Ranger?’ Count yourself—you’re not so many! I know how to count better than you! And I have counted 7,000 in Israel who are still seeking Me.”
Herein is one of the great benefits of engaging in good honest Christian fellowship—it helps to eradicate the notion that “I am alone”—that I am unique in my temptations and struggles—that no one else faces what I am facing. This kind of interaction between believers (fellow pilgrims) not only relieves one of a sense of isolation, but also aids one with inspiration, encouragement, and instruction on how to cope and conquer—learning from what others have already learned so that we don’t have to keep re-inventing the wheel of Christian victory.
Elijah needed some good godly fellowship. So do I. So do you. So don’t forget it! (Hebrews 10:25)