Balance

It takes a lot more “horse-sense” than most horses have to overcome the kinds of injuries suffered by last year’s Kentucky Derby winner. Despite heroic efforts on the part of veterinarians and the horse’s owners, the decision was made to euthanize the horse because of extensive and recurring complications.

Thoroughbreds are amazing to watch at full speed. Some say they shouldn’t be able to run at all considering the pressure put on their limbs. The years I lived in Kentucky brought a somewhat close association with the “neighborhood” of Kentucky Derby activity.

Many injured horses are immediately euthanized because the problems with recovery are overwhelming and costly due to the persisting complications brought about by imbalance. The inability of a horse to maintain a balanced load on its limbs creates multiple problems for the animal. Injured limbs can be almost impossible to heal because of the pressure on the other limbs being overstressed. Suddenly more than one limb becomes compromised and circumstances go from bad to worse.

Humans who fail to exercise good “horse-sense” often fail to maintain balance in their lives. Balance is needed in many dimensions of life. A relentless pursuit of material gain may provoke a person to work long and hard, but if ultimately they ruin their health, neglect their family, and ignore acknowledging their Lord, the consequences will be anything but desirable. A focus of faith that helps us to relate positively to family and friends is important for achieving balanced living. That doesn’t undermine passion, or determination, or drive, but enhances it. To live a life that acknowledges with thanksgiving God’s blessings each day and to share that joy with one’s family, friends, and neighbors, is to achieve a great measure of success for which many, looking back at their lives, could only wish they might achieve. It starts with balance, and that just makes good horse-sense.

The Joy of the LORD is Your Strength

The discovery of joy is often found in the experience of repentance. The turning from sin and the turning to God that marks the conscious decision of a repentant heart is the place from which God can begin to work to bring us joy.

Whether we read of joy in the O.T., as in the book of Nehemiah, the eighth chapter, when people discovered in God’s law their call to relationship and obedience to God or in Paul’s words to the Philippians reminding them that joy was at the heart of every expression of worship in spite of the obstacles and distractions of the world--We rejoice in the Lord! We celebrate the gift of a relationship with Almighty God! We mark our joy in the midst of remembering the provision God has made for us through Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love; just as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:10-11 NRSV)

Jesus’ commands inspire us, allow us, and enable us to love one another. His commands “keep us from stumbling” and “guide us into all truth” as we are led by the Spirit of God to glorify Him and to prepare us for that day when we will see Christ and our hearts will rejoice. The promise is…no one will take your joy from you…when your joy is the Lord who brings you life everlasting.

Jesus describes our experiences as those like a woman in labor, who in one minute is in pain, but when the child is born, delights with joy. As we turn to Christ, our joy will be full…complete…and the continuing reason for our worship and praise to God.

Trouble Enough

Jesus said, “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:34)

He shared those words after reminding us that our Heavenly Father knows about our needs and will supply them as we remember to “strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness.”

I almost think Jesus was smiling as he finished speaking about this subject with those words reminding us that one day’s trouble is enough for one day. Too often we “load up” mentally and emotionally trying to cover all our concerns about tomorrow – fretting about things we as yet have no capacity to handle. Living in the present, in the moment, in the context of what we can change and act upon is our challenge. So much of our anxiety is not about the things we truly have to deal with but the things beyond that. Jesus reminds us to let them go…worrying about tomorrow is utterly useless. It doesn’t benefit us in any way, it accomplishes nothing, and often it is detrimental to our overall health and well-being. Let tomorrow be handled tomorrow. Do today what you can do.

Do today what you know is in your capacity to accomplish or at least to begin to accomplish. Set the goal for today. Set your mind and heart and life to the living -- now. It is where you can hear Jesus’ words and smile with him. “Today’s trouble is enough.” AMEN.

FOR THOSE WHO NEED HELP

Psalm 124:8 “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”


My desk at this New Year’s dawn is in need of “spring cleaning.” The reality is I feel a bit intimidated by the daunting task of reconnecting with so many appeals for help that are represented by the mass of paper sitting before me. A great deal of good was accomplished last year, and many commitments were fulfilled in terms of ministry and service and resources directed to meet needs. But the needs are almost immeasurably great. At times I would like to disengage from them. But then I remember the words of Jesus…”as you did it to one of the least of these…you did it to me” and the more intimidating reminder…”as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” (See Matt. 25:31-46)

So here I write, remembering and praying for those needs to be met…
remembering that God is at work to awaken in many the recognition of His work to be done in this world. So to the teenagers who needed funds to rebuild homes in Louisiana; to Habitat for Humanity, appealing for funds for nails and roofs and timber to build affordable homes for deserving working families; to World Hunger ministries seeking to feed the dying in many lands; to the friends ministering to refugees in war-torn lands of conflict; to those carrying the Gospel to unreached people groups; to those in search of means to gain an education in preparation for Christian ministry; to those buying women out of sexual slavery and teaching them skills by which they can earn a living; to those who are separated from family and friends while serving on military assignments far away; for those who sacrifice daily to share the good news of Jesus….you and many others are all in my prayers, in my heart, in my mind…in my petitions to God for your blessing and encouragement and enablement to do those things which will ever bring glory to God.

It is a New Year. Every day is a new day for sharing the love of Jesus Christ in all the ways we can, to all the people we can, with all the means we have, for as long as God sustains us in his mercy to serve Him in this world.

“Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” AMEN