Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Good morning, dear ones.
I’ve already popped into a clinic for a fasting blood draw—so my doctor can try to decipher how many days I have to live—or to discern how fit I am to make it through the number of days I’m supposed to live. All I know is that every day I do live is a matter of mathematical subtraction—each day reducing my length of life by one day. But rather than get all gloomy about it all, I embrace the song we often sing with the seniors at Pheasant Pointe—“Each step (day) I take just leads me closer home.” And HOME is not half bad.
More signage and sawing for the day. I’d better get busy. Blessings on today’s little segment of your sojourn.
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 can also offer mutual 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)