Jeremiah 17:7-8 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose
confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out
its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; the leaves are always
green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
NIV
The two dogs were regular visitors right from the start. The moving truck had
scarcely pulled out of the driveway when they appeared. Mocha was large and
sported a shaggy black and tan coat, while Skye being totally black and furry
was often mistaken for one of the local black bears. They were soon a common
sight, stretched out on our front boardwalk.
Over the years the dogs have travelled along bush trails, protected our
livestock and run beside the cart and pony when we take a jaunt to town. Both
eat their meals at our place and look to us for their general care. Mocha
however has become much more a part of our family than Skye. Mocha comes to be
brushed and have the burrs and rose prickles removed from her now glossy coat.
She likes to have her ears rubbed and tummy scratched and has learned to obey
commands. In fact 3 years ago, as winter approached, she even decided to move
into the house with us in order to stay warm and enjoy a cozy dog bed. Mocha has
indeed become a vibrant and all inclusive family member enjoying its full
benefits.
Skye however is very different. She still shies away from being physically
touched, always keeping people at arm's length. She rarely listens, choosing
instead to go her own way which can often place her in the path of danger. Her
dense coat is matted and dirty as she refuses to be groomed. And in the dead of
winter she will stand outside the house lifting one paw after another off the
ground to find some relief from the bitter cold, but when invited into the
warmth of the house she seldom accepts the invitation. On the rare occasion when
the freezing temperatures have forced her to reconsider, she has ventured in to
warm herself for a short period but then rises and stands at the door to go back
out again as soon as possible. Skye has never received anything but love and
goodness from our hand and is definitely part of our family and yet still she
has not become a full member of the family, choosing instead to remain standing
on the fringe of relationship looking in.
Many Christians are like Skye. They hear of God's love and move into the fringe
of it by accepting the salvation he offers in Christ Jesus. They become members
of God's family and yet still, for whatever reason, they choose to not give up
many of their own ways, never allowing Christ full Lordship of their lives. This
choice prevents them from receiving and enjoying the fullness of his blessings
and the transformed life of victory amidst the trials of this world.
Others like Mocha become fully committed family members. They not only receive
the salvation Christ offers but also choose to trust and humble themselves
before his Lordship. By so doing their lives are transformed as they fully
receive and enjoy the blessings of intimate relationship with Him. Victory in
life as well as death belongs to them.
Which one of these relationships best describes the one which you now have with
Christ, full blessing or partial, victory or defeat?
The choice is yours.
Prayer: Father God, May all who have come to you for salvation reach out and
choose to fully trust and have confidence in you that they may be like a tree
planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear
when heat comes; the leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of
drought and never fails to bear fruit. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
Atlin, B.C.
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