Basking in the Light

Sharing space while basking in the light.

My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
                                                                    (Song of Solomon 2:10-12 KJV)

Exactly what does a turtle's voice sound like? As many turtles as I've run across, I've never heard one speak. What I do know is that the season of summer is a beautiful one. The cold dark winter is past and it is time to kick off your shoes; dance in the grass with your beloved; sit back and enjoy the beauty of the land.

One of my elderly cousins once told me that we could learn a lot about how to live life by watching and listening to the creation around us. Take, for example, the turtle. They may not have voices as we have. But, if we observe we can learn from them. They appear to live pretty slow and seemingly relaxed lives. They don't have a problem getting close to each other. They take care of what they need to live; but, they do not hurry about as if the end of the world is near. They know how to bask in the light and the warmth of the sun. 

Winter is over. Summer has come. May God help us to understand how to bask in the light of His Son, Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Becoming Less

They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”

                                                                                 (John 3:26-30 NIV)

John and Jesus are cousins; most probably friends, as well. They both are called for specific purposes to serve God and humankind. There is no jealousy between the two. There is no competition. John in no way tries to usurp Jesus' authority. When John is about to leave the service of God on earth, by nothing less than death, he is more than willing to become less so that Christ may become not just greater; but, the greatest that has ever walked and served upon the earth.

It would be so awesome if the servants of God on earth today would be so willing to step aside when their time is done so that others that God has called can do the ministry to which they also have been called. But, often they don't. Their egos get in the way.

It should be a joyful thing to see others step up to serve the Lord in faith.

God's Peace - Pr. J