“In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. We sometimes forget we live in the world but God allows some things to come into our lives to remember where we are and who we need.
This summer I began a day with a walk to the church. It was a beautiful day, the temperature was perfect, in the 60’s, the sky was a brilliant blue with a few marshmallow clouds and God’s handiwork was all around. (Psalm 19) In addition to that all my senses were working; my eyes saw the beautiful colors, ears heard the birds singing praise to God, nose smelled the flowers, my fingers touched and felt the neighbor’s horse and my mouth tasted the freshness in the air. I couldn’t ask God for another thing and my heart exploded into the praise of “How Great Thou Art.” I felt as rich as any man on earth, blessed by my God who gives me all things richly to enjoy. I Timothy 6:17
Then I turned into the woods. Part of my path includes the woods and what usually adds to the enjoyment of the morning. As I entered the path through the woods, a fly discovered a concrete landing pad, normally called my head. It attempted a landing, slid off or took off again, only to turn around and try it again. I thought, no big deal, I can deal with a little fly, after all, I’m 6’ tall, 199 pounds and have long legs so I can walk a little faster. The fly was enjoying my head so much it put into practice a church growth principle. It called a friend (now there were two), who tried it out and called their friends (now four), who called their friends (now eight), who called their friends (now sixteen), who got all excited and called their thirty-two, and they continued the movement (now 63), and finally I think every fly and tormentor in Susquehanna county was present.
Then something happened, my praise turned to grumbling, singing went sour and I began to walk faster, complain louder and pray. My happiness was gone, the walk misery and I felt as if God had deserted me. Why, Lord was my question; Why me, Lord, was my complaint! I forgot I live in a sin cursed world until that one fly showed up.
As I came out of the woods and turned toward the church a wonderful thing happened. A breeze was in my face and those flies, try as they could, couldn’t get near me. I was thankful, my song returned, joy was restored and I could finish my walk with a spring in my step. I even thought of those people who were walking in the area where God blew my tormentors and so I prayed for their patience.
It’s the little things in this world that often rob us of the joys we have in Christ; they become big trials and if we’re not careful one can rob us of the joy we have in our walk with the Lord!
May God bless you and fill your heart with joy as you walk in this world!
Pastor Thomas
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