“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. And the world
passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth
for ever.” - 1 John 2:15a, 17
During a visit to Cape Cod we took a 40 minute ferry ride out to the Martha’s
Vineyard island. And let me tell you … what a spectacular view!
Shoreland in brilliant fall colors. Sailboats gliding across the water.
Lighthouses dotting the beaches. Seagulls floating effortlessly through the
salty air. In a word, picturesque.
My wife and I just took it all in and enjoyed the moment.
And even though it was a beautiful sight to behold, guess what our 4-year old
boy, Jacob, was doing? While we were oohing and aahing over the sailboats and
lighthouses and rainbow of colors, our 4-year old spent much of the trip playing
with an old rusty latch on one of the benches located on our deck. That’s right,
an old rusty latch.
Over and over we said things like, “Oh, Jacob look at the pretty lighthouse.
Jacob, do you see the beautiful trees? Jacob, look at the sailboats.” Jacob
would take the briefest of glances, and then head back to playing with the rusty
latch.
You know, over and over again God gives us opportunities to gaze upon His beauty
… I wonder how often we are preoccupied with the rusty latches of this world and
fail to see the wonders of our Creator?
If we’re not careful, we get so busy with the “stuff” of life that we don’t take
enough time to focus our eyes upon the really important things. Beautiful things
like love and faith and peace and joy. Picturesque things like relationships and
good deeds. Awe-inspiring things like seeing someone find their real meaning in
life. Wonderful things like finding and fulfilling the purpose of God.
While there are many different things that dot the shores of our lives, the
things that are borne out of our relationship with God are the ones that matter
the most.
Sometimes we need a reminder to not be satisfied with the rusty latches of this
world when God has so much more for us when we focus our attention on Him, and
live to fulfill His purpose for our lives.
Maybe that surpises you ... that God has a plan for YOU. The Bible tells us in
Ephesians 2:10, “10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good
works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
God has a plan for your life. You were meant to live for so much more than just
random drifting… You are His creation and He has something special in store for
you. And what a spectacular view it is when you find and fulfil your purpose in
life!
Jimmy Brown jimmy@Living4Jesus.com
http://www.living4jesus.com/
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