Growing Up in the Lord

As I write this, I’m hoping and praying that when you read this article the snow and ice will all be gone. But, while I write this, I’m also listening to a forecast for one more big snow storm. Oh well, we live in Wisconsin. We take the good and the bad, hope for more good than bad and thank God for his provision and blessing regardless of the weather. Although getting a foot of snow and ice in April is not what many would call a blessing, in the old saying “April showers bring May flowers,” I don’t believe it differentiates between rain showers and snow showers. I’m sure the moisture will be a true blessing when it soaks into the ground and nourishes all the beautiful plants and flowers that are to come, regardless of the form it comes in.

This last big snow challenged me in a couple of different ways. First, it challenged me to not over do it when it came to my efforts to clear the sidewalks and driveway. At times, I thought I’d never get done. The snow, ice and slush were proving to be good contenders against me and I was raised to never give up. When things get hard, you simply work a little harder. But sometimes that has gotten me into trouble. So, although I worked hard, I also swallowed my pride, took a few breaks, and still got things cleared in good time.

The Lord also opened some great opportunities to love my neighbor. In one instance one of my neighbors, who I don’t really know, was working hard trying to dig his car out of his driveway. Karen saw him out the window and encouraged me to grab my shovel and go help. It didn’t take long as we worked together, and we had him out. It was a satisfying experience and I thank God for giving me an opportunity to help someone. What a great way to meet and talk with a neighbor. I had the time to find out that he had been visiting his mother over the weekend who was having health issues. I asked if I could pray for his family and he was very thankful.

It’s amazing how God can take what seems to be a bad situation and turn it into an opportunity to be a servant and glorify Him. Our role is to listen and obey. After Jesus ascended to be with the Father, God sent the Holy Spirit to be our companion and guide. Sadly, we often ignore His influence and instruction in our lives, whether it is a prompting to do good or a warning to avoid sin. As disciples of Jesus, it is vital for our growth and wellbeing to be open to His work within us; to ask God to open our hearts and minds to the Spirit’s leading and then to follow that lead. Jesus called Him “the Helper” for good reason; He will help us solve problems, accomplish work, find the right words at the right time and live in a way that is pleasing to God and helpful to others. Romans 8:9 reminds us that we are not controlled by our sinful nature if we have the Spirit of God living within us.

Has God used an ordinary occurrence like a snowstorm to teach you something new about yourself recently? Has He opened doors for you to do good? Have As I write this, I’m hoping and praying that when you read this article the snow and ice will all be gone. But, while I write this, I’m also listening to a forecast for one more big snow storm. Oh well, we live in Wisconsin. We take the good and the bad, hope for more good than bad and thank God for his provision and blessing regardless of the weather. Although getting a foot of snow and ice in April is not what many would call a blessing, in the old saying “April showers bring May flowers,” I don’t believe it differentiates between rain showers and snow showers. I’m sure the moisture will be a true blessing when it soaks into the ground and nourishes all the beautiful plants and flowers that are to come, regardless of the form it comes in.

This last big snow challenged me in a couple of different ways. First, it challenged me to not over do it when it came to my efforts to clear the sidewalks and driveway. At times, I thought I’d never get done. The snow, ice and slush were proving to be good contenders against me and I was raised to never give up. When things get hard, you simply work a little harder. But sometimes that has gotten me into trouble. So, although I worked hard, I also swallowed my pride, took a few breaks, and still got things cleared in good time.

The Lord also opened some great opportunities to love my neighbor. In one instance one of my neighbors, who I don’t really know, was working hard trying to dig his car out of his driveway. Karen saw him out the window and encouraged me to grab my shovel and go help. It didn’t take long as we worked together, and we had him out. It was a satisfying experience and I thank God for giving me an opportunity to help someone. What a great way to meet and talk with a neighbor. I had the time to find out that he had been visiting his mother over the weekend who was having health issues. I asked if I could pray for his family and he was very thankful.

It’s amazing how God can take what seems to be a bad situation and turn it into an opportunity to be a servant and glorify Him. Our role is to listen and obey. After Jesus ascended to be with the Father, God sent the Holy Spirit to be our companion and guide. Sadly, we often ignore His influence and instruction in our lives, whether it is a prompting to do good or a warning to avoid sin. As disciples of Jesus, it is vital for our growth and wellbeing to be open to His work within us; to ask God to open our hearts and minds to the Spirit’s leading and then to follow that lead. Jesus called Him “the Helper” for good reason; He will help us solve problems, accomplish work, find the right words at the right time and live in a way that is pleasing to God and helpful to others. Romans 8:9 reminds us that we are not controlled by our sinful nature if we have the Spirit of God living within us.

Has God used an ordinary occurrence like a snowstorm to teach you something new about yourself recently? Has He opened doors for you to do good? Have you walked through them in obedience, ignored them thinking you’ll get back to it later or shut that door without giving it another thought? I pray that God will guide us to live our lives for Him and Him alone. As for me personally, I pray that He will continue to lead me away from trying to better myself through my own efforts, forgive me for my shortcomings and fill me more and more with His Holy Spirit to guide me daily in my life.

In Jesus’ Name,
Pastor Scott