Starfish

I love the inspirational story of the starfish. In case you are unfamiliar with it, there is a wise man walking the beach and he sees someone in the distance who appears to be dancing.  As he gets closer he realizes the young man is throwing something in the ocean, starfish, one at a time.  When asked why he is throwing them, the young man says that the tide is going out and if he doesn't throw them in they will die.  With miles upon miles of beach the wise man reminds him that there are far too many starfish, it won't make a difference.  Again the young man reaches down, picks up a starfish, throws it in and says, "I made a difference to that one."

I love the story, it reminds me of the importance of making the time and making the effort to invest in those who God has planted in my day.

I am a person who loves things that mean something.  I love tangible reminders of life lessons.  My brother and his wife were going to the islands this past winter and I asked if they could bring me back a starfish.  I wanted a tangible reminder that I could see each day, to remind me to live a positive life for those around me. When they returned I came home one day to a starfish on the table, a big beautiful starfish.  I was extremely happy.  The next time I saw my brother he told me that when they were out on a boat one day he saw the starfish, went to dive in to get it but his wife had beat him to it and was already in the water.  Suddenly it hit me.  My request for a starfish was a very selfish one.  What I had wanted as a reminder to bring positive influence into other people's lives ended up costing a life.  I have a  shell that was once the home of a life, a life that was taken so that I could remember.  When my daughter saw it she reminded me that the beautiful starfish died so that I could have a decoration.

I love my starfish and will cherish it deeply, not only for the positive story it represents, the story of a life invested in others, but I now also have a negative reminder of what our actions can cost others.  I want my life to be an example that will be a positive influence to those God places in my path, but I also need to be cautious not to be a negative influence.

The starfish that sits in the family room never had a choice as to whether or not to give up his life. However, there is someone dear to me that did have a choice.  Jesus Christ chose to come to this world, he chose to die a painful death on the cross so that I could live.  I am forever thankful for what he did.  I choose to live my life as an example to others so that they too may see him.

As Easter approaches, I am reminded once again of the story of Jesus and his journey to the cross.  Thank you Jesus for dying for me so that I could live. Thank you for your example. Help me to model it each and every day of my life.

Did You Hear That?

This past Sunday, on my way home from my daughter's house, I chose to take a detour and enjoy a spot that brings tranquility to my soul.  I got out of my car and sat on a bench overlooking the lake. It was absolutely beautiful, the day was brisk, but the water was rather calm, with just small waves lapping the shore. I missed this spot!  I haven't been there since last fall and forgot how special this place is to my heart.  The vastness of the lake reminds me of the vastness of God.

Suddenly the tranquility of the moment was lost as I watched a man playing ball with his dog, his beautiful golden retriever. The man would throw the ball down the hill and the dog would run after it.  Unfortunately the dog did not choose to come right back, he chose to investigate what was going on around him each time his owner would throw the ball.  Most dog owners I have heard usually just call their dog, or say no but this man was different.   He had one word for his dog that he yelled over and over again.  WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! He would yell it until his beautiful dog came back.  I thought it was mean of that dog owner to be so harsh with his dog.

Over the last few days I have had a thought cross my mind; wouldn't it be nice to have someone who could tell me when I was wrong; when I was about to make a mistake so that I could avoid it?  God reminded me that I actually do have someone who is with me, who does work in my life to direct my path.

In John 16:13-14, Jesus said, "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.  He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you."

God has placed the Holy Spirit in our lives to guide us into all truth.  In my life when I have times that I choose not to listen to that voice of the Holy Spirit, His voice seems to get softer and softer until it seems not to be audible at all.  In reality, since I am getting farther and farther from the truth, it is harder and harder to hear.  It has nothing to do with the Holy Spirit not being loud enough, it has to do with my proximity to Him.  The closer we stay to God, the easier it seems to hear His voice.

As much as I was annoyed at the man yelling WRONG at his dog, it was a great reminder of the presence of Holy Spirit in our lives and the importance of staying close by.  If you can't hear His voice, perhaps you need to get a little closer.  There is no better place to be.

Growth

Spring is just around the corner.  I can hardly believe it!  I must admit we have been very spoiled this winter with very little actual winter like weather.  We have had our fair share of precipitation, but because the temperatures have been on the warmer side, we have had rain instead of snow.  I might dislike winter weather, but for the farmers the weather conditions of winter are important to the seeds in preparation for their growth come spring.  


Just like the seeds need certain conditions to grow, so also we as followers of Christ need certain conditions in order to grow our faith so that we can become more like the men and women God wants us to be.  


"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." James 1:2-4


"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." Romans 5:3-5


God will use our circumstances to help us develop into people He can use to make a difference in this world.  Far too often we run away from the pain that we are experiencing, instead of embracing what God is trying to do in us through it.  Running away only delays what God wants to do.  Today I challenge you to embrace all that God has for you.  Embrace the situations He places in your path so that you can grow in His way, in His timing. We need not fear because we are not alone; He is always with us.  


My friend, today, choose to let God work in your life so that you can grow more and more into the person He wants you to be. You will not be disappointed.