Ephesians 1:18-19 (ESV) 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
"Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth............................Put out my hand,and touched the face of God........."
This phrase flashed in my mind this week. Don't know why. For all you old timers out there, it's from a poem entitled High Flight and in the days before twenty four hour news and television,it was often used in a sign off late at night when television stations would end their programming day.
That being said, I was speaking with someone this week and this was the comment raised in my direction. "It's not only that I can't talk about better days ahead, I can't even think or imagine them in my mind." He wasn't despondent or distraught, just making a statement of fact. When I heard that I thought about it the rest of the night. That's what this world does to us isn't it? And herein lieth the lesson.
Some years ago this person's comment would probably have labeled him as "clinically depressed." I looked up the definition of clinical depression. Depressed mood,reduced interest or feeling no pleasure in all or most activities, feelings of worthlessness,trouble making decisions or concentrating,you are getting my drift here right?
And that is what seems crazy about it. He was so matter of fact. So accepting of the apparent reality that he deemed normal. Can't talk about better days,can't even think or imagine the POSSIBILITY of better days! No hope is the norm!!
It can happen, can't it? We get so caught up in the circumstances of this life. The daily struggle to meet the ever increasing demands of employers. The incessant fighting and bickering with the wife,husband,kids,in laws outlaws etc.,etc., A nagging illness,a wayward child, the horrors happening on our streets and in our neighborhoods, the rapid decline of our once proud nation into the category of Banana Republic or worse unprintable descriptions. On and on. It's no wonder this guy felt like he did so matter of factly. This is our world......PERIOD.
BUT
BUT,Christian Brother or Sister THIS IS NOT YOUR WORLD. YOU HEARING ME.LET ME SAY IT AGAIN. THIS IS NOT YOUR WORLD. Look at Jesus own words.
John 18:36 (ESV) 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
Listen to this. Sometimes you have to escape from where you're living. No, I don't mean you run away to some faraway place.You have to do a little dreaming. You have to break those surly bonds that tie up your mind and spirit. You have to get with God and let Him show you the possibilities. Look at that verse again
Ephesians 1:18-19 (ESV) 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
"...the riches of his glorious inheritance............the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe........
But,first you have to have the eyes of your heart enlightened.
Brothers and sisters, this world will strip you of all hope and you won't even recognize it. It will become the new norm. But, I got a news flash for you(and me) no matter what the media spins, no matter what your friends say,no matter what some blog writer might say, there ARE better days ahead. God has your back on this earth. Not a hair of your head is forgotten. And His reward is coming. Get alone with Him and let Him get you excited again about living in HIS WORLD.
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV) 31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Get alone,close your eyes and let God work in you. Don't worry about what anybody thinks or says. Just enjoy the ride and bust loose from those surly bonds.
Psalm 125:1 (ESV) 1
God Bless
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