Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, special ones.

Wow—it’s late! But we did get in a walk/jog this morning. Whereas we talked at length earlier regarding the spin I took with the devotional this morning, I impulsively sang a line, while we were walking along, from a song Becki and I sang to each other at our wedding just over 47 years ago. I sang, “Oh, I thrill at knowing God has made you mine, dear.” It soon became a romantic setting because Becki remembered her next line—“And I know, I know, God’s given you to me.” Wow! Then we sang in duet, “We will walk life’s road together never fearing. For it’s God’s plan—He’s promised to be near.” Embrace. Man—this is better than watching a Hallmark movie.

On with the stuff of the day. Blessings on yours.

Love, Dad/Ray.

This is not the first time I’ve been inspired with this capsule of thought presented by Jesus. Let me cite some comments I made in an earlier devotional composition: “Your worldview perspective determines the quality of your life. If you are able to recognize with your internal eyes the greatness, goodness, majesty, and grace of the awesome God of the Bible, then every other part of your life will be positively influenced and invigorated by that view. But if your perspective sees no order or design or purpose, the result can only be self-centeredness, confusion, and meaninglessness, which is an appropriate way to define depression.”

I still believe this is a valid application of these words of Jesus. I observe that the range of that application is on a macro level—the big picture view. But now my inspiration of this morning seems to look to the micro view that involves applying the same principles to our work, our schooling, our families, our marriages, any other personal relationships, and even our faith. In the way of example let me subject these ideas to what is probably our most important of human relationship here on earth—that of marriage. And since I am a husband of the male gender I’m examining it from that angle. So, when I turn the light of my attention to my wife, what do I see? Do I see a cantankerous self-centered woman to whom I am bound forevermore for better or worse—which looks to be more worse than better? Man!—that’s dark!—like the lights have gone out! Or do I see a beautiful and attractive person who still amazes me with her capacity to love me all these years—and with whom I long to be even when we’re apart for short periods? That’s light! (How about de-light?) Or do I see an unstable combination of both those views? I guess that’s kind of gray—definitely not very exciting. Whichever option fits, varying accompanying degrees of optimism or depression are cast over the entire view of that relationship.

It should be apparent what our homework assignment is. We are wise to do everything within our power to make sure that our perspectives are as positive, bright, and clear as possible. And it should be understood that Jesus did not come to deliver us from sin, self, and Satan, so that we could be discouraged, without hope, and depressed. On the contrary, His Word and His promised presence continue to be an inexhaustible resource of encouragement and positive psycho-spiritual therapy that are able to lead us into His abundant life (John 10:10) and empower us to “participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1:4).