The living parable of the ladybug

Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Yesterday, we went to Sams Club. On our way back, somehow a ladybug had managed to get into the cab of our truck. Not being a super violent man, I didn't wish to just kill it outright. But, I had a problem. The little thing, after it got over its initial fright, decided it did not need to wait where it was. It needed to start moving and try and find out where it needed to go. 

This caused a problem because we never got stopped by a red light on the way home. The whole 25-minute trip home was actual movement. So, the little ladybug was moving the whole time! It would not sit still and trust that I would let it out safely when we got home. Rather, it was constantly moving. So, when it got to one side of my hand, I would have to place my other hand there in front of it. It would see that and change hands. Occasionally, it would try and force it's way between my fingers, which of course it could not do. But, for the most part, it kept traveling up and around my hands the whole trip. I was going somewhere, but the little bug truly was just walking around in circles in mostly a straight line up and down my hands.  When we reached home, I handed the little bug off to my 6-year-old granddaughter, Ella, who ended up depositing the now happy little thing onto a nearby bush. 

But, the thought hit me. How like that little lady-bug are we humans, especially me. 

God has promised to take care of us if we will just trust him. I know I am safe in his hands. But, rather than just rest there in the middle of his hand, I start moving. I want to see where I'm going so I can know what's going on and maybe make plans. I start moving this way and that in a vain effort to see what God is doing. 

It's not a lack of trust.

I truly know I'm safe in his hands. It's just that I want to KNOW what he's doing and where he's taking me.   

Nevermind that I know he's got this. Never mind that I know he's working all things out for my good and his glory. Nevermind that I know he has an amazing future planned out for me and my family. 

I just want to see and try and do my part in the preparation.

But, sometimes, I can wear myself out trying to see and figure things out. I can tire my family with my efforts and lack of rest (and sometimes sleep) in trying to be prepared. 

His word says that If I wait on him, I will renew my strength. Why? Because you can't charge your batteries if you don't sit on the charging hand of God and wait. And if I do wait, he says I will fly, run without weariness and walk without fainting. What a promise! 

So Lord, Please help me to simply rest in the palm of your hand on my journey and wait on the beautiful plan you've made for us to unfold in your good time. 

For truly, you do all things well.   

Take a fruit break today (and every day).

Galatians 5:22-23

King James Version (KJV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

John 14

King James Version (KJV)

14 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Philippians 4:6-9

King James Version (KJV)

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

We live in a truly messed up world. We live at a very fast pace. We're going to work, to the store, to the doctors, and to kids concerts and practices. We have to fix our cars, our hair, our families, and our lives. We're always going and going. 

Is it any wonder that our stress levels are up, our families are in turmoil, and and our hearts are under tremendous pressure? We worry about everything and have peace about almost nothing. As a result, we scream at our families, rather than talk to them. 

Our lives seem to be built around overcoming one obstacle after another. It's crazy. What's a Christian to do in this overwhelming world?

First, take a cue from Jesus. Every time he started his day (and many times during the day and at the end if his day), Jesus prayed. Yes, Jesus was (and is) God in human flesh. But his flesh was still human. In order to make it through the day, perform the ministry he had to do, and overcome the enormous obstacles that were set before him, he had to pray.

The scriptures say that "(we) can do ALL things through Christ which strengtheneth (us)." (Philippians 4:13) The flesh of Jesus knew he had monumental tasks ahead so he started each day in communion with the spirit of God. We should to. If we are to make it through the many challenges that beset us each day, we need to stay in close contact with the spirit of God.

In fact, we need to do as Paul wrote and "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thes. 5:17) Whatever may come our way, we need to pray before, during, and after. If we don't, we will inevitably fail.

Jesus also tells us to "let not (our) hearts be troubled." In other words, it's a choice. We can either worry ourselves to death trying to figure out how to fix the problems we face, or we can remember that Jesus is in control.

"In everything by prayer and supplications...let your requests be made known to God," is what we need to do. We need to ask him for direction and then follow through with the actions that are required for us to do to play our part. 

Finally, we need to keep our mind and hearts focused on "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

The more we keep our minds and hearts on God and good things, the less stress we will have in our lives. When we dive off into ungodly entertainment and activities, then we are much more easily discouraged and stressed. It then becomes a viscous and counterproductive circle.

The more we worry, the more stress we have. The more stress we have, the more we dive off into entertainment (be it books, movies, games, websites, alcohol, etc) to escape our troubles. The more we try and escape and don't face the problems, the worse the problems become. The worse the problems become, the more we worry- and the process begins all over again.

Let us stop the rat race, get off the wheel, and seek God and his righteousness. If we will, then "the God of peace shall be with (us)." Then, it won't be so hard to deal with life. And we will develop part of the fruit of the spirit that he so wants to develop in us- HIS peace.

May the Lord help us ALL follow this advice in our lives. In Jesus name!