I Prefer The WIlderness

 

"It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman." (Prov 21:9 KJV)

Whether it is a contentious man or woman or even a contentious and angry neighbor, it is better to dwell in the wilderness where one is not wholly distracted by conflict. God did not intend for us to spend our lives fighting with others.

I have had more than my share of contentious neighbors. I have often said that I would prefer to live in a tent than in a situation where I don't even want to go outside. There have been more than a few places like that. The last place that we lived in had a dock on a canal that I could launch my kayak from. By the time we finally moved I rarely sat on the dock because my neighbor would watch every move I made. I felt like I was being stalked!

I am now living in a more rural area without too much land; but, with wooded areas surrounding us. The area is growing. But, at least for now my yard is not visible to any of my neighbors. We also own a small home in a cedar swamp on a river off of Lake Superior. We should sell it since we don't use it much; but, I am reluctant to because I am not sure if one day I will begin to feel closed in again and I will have to retreat to it and hide out in the wilderness.  Many would disagree that this would be a right way to go; but, that is who I am.

Simply put: After years (decades) of living house to house with others, I love the wilderness. I love people too. But, I do need quiet time and space to spend with the one I love most. I don't appreciate it when anyone disrupts my ability to commune and communicate with my God; with my Lord and Savior. 

The prophet Isaiah wrote:  "Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!" (Isa 5:8)

I thank God that He has provided me with quiet and at least semi-wilderness places to abide with Him at this point in my life. (I also thank God for Robin who shovels our roof in Michigan and makes sure home in Michigan still has a roof when we get there!)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

We Shall Not Retreat In Fear

"When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" Psalm 118:5-6 NIV

What indeed is there to fear? President Franklin Roosevelt in his first inaugural address said, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

Many parts of the visible church on earth have been in retreat. The Gospel is not proclaimed rightly. Injustices are not addressed for fear of persecution. Members are so concerned about being politically correct that the truth is not spoken for fear of offending someone. Well, the truth be told, you cannot please everyone all of the time and not everyone is going to appreciate the truth. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Cor 1:18) Those who speak the truth about the cross of Christ will be hated by the world. That is just the way it is. The world hated Jesus and it will hate his followers as well. (John 15:18) Just because we might be persecuted that is not an excuse to hide the truth from the world. We do not hide the truth in order to protect ourselves because God, Himself, is our protector. We must have faith that His plan is a plan for the good of all who love Him. (Rom 8:28)

What can keep us from moving forward; from advancing the Good News of the Kingdom? If God is for us who can be against us? (Rom 8:31) If our greatest desire; our ultimate concern, is to live in the presence of God and to love Him as He loves us is there any hardship in this world that we cannot endure?  

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

'For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.'

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 8:35-19)

We may face death all day long; but, we shall not fear. There is nothing in this world or in the spiritual realms that can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God help the whole church on earth to make the proclamation of God's love for all people, through Jesus the Christ, always our ultimate concern. Help us, Lord, to advance the Gospel!

God's Peace - Pr. Judy