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- Feb 9, 2004
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Soul, Awake! - January 20, 2007
"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." - Helen Keller
This past summer I made some new additions to our yard which is a continued work in progress due to its large size. I added three goldfish ponds to which, unfortunately, no fish were ever added. The reason I could not add them was because once I dug the holes, placed heavy plastic as a liner, covered the edging with dirt and rocks, then filled it with water, in a matter of days the water began to stagnate. I was not aware a successful fish pond required some sort of aeration and sanitation to keep bacteria and slime at bay. And so, I let the water stagnate, instead adding faux lilly pads which seemed quite at home in the murky water. Next year I am determined to get a book to find out how to set it up properly.
In similar manner, and as the above quote by Helen Keller conveys, godly character cannot develop by living a life of complacency. Such a bland existence might direct us away from adversity, but the end result is an individual who lacks strength, determination and wisdom. Instead, our entire being becomes sluggish, in much the same way the water of a pond stagnates when it is overrun with bacteria.
God calls our lives to not be as dead cesspools, but as living springs! As do the waves of the ocean ever churn, so too, must our very existence be active and not in a slumber.
Not one person I know enjoys pain, suffering or turmoil, but if we are afraid to speak up and cause a scene when we see a clear injustice, or are fearful to get our knees a little dirty as we bend down to help a child who has fallen off his bike, does this hesitancy to LIVE make us more or less human? More importantly, how does it affect those of us who seek God, and claim to live under the philosophy of "love one another?"
While on this earth, there are no guarantees. We may enter it expecting only clear sailing, but the truth of the matter is, no journey is totally without at least a few bumps in the road. Sometimes, we find ourselves at a dead end, and must turn around, ask for directions, and set back out to drive. Other times, we may come to an unexpected detour which may initially be stressful, but once we reach our destination we see there really was nothing to fear. The only certainty for the Christian is our salvation.
When I look back at my life thus far, I sometimes awe at how I endured various trials and tribulations. Not only did I bare my own hardships, but as mothers and fathers, we often carry the burdens of our children as well. When they hurt, we hurt. It is that simple.
Our Heavenly Father is the same way. He does not joy to see us going through hard times, but he promises those people who believe in Him that we shall find peace, comfort and strength in His arms. We shall also taste the sweetness of wisdom and understanding from this cup we know as life, and our character's shall sing victory because we have successfully endured from tribulation to triumph!
Are you going through a hard time? Call on God and let Him direct your path.
Contributed by Melanie Schurr (Copyright (c)2005 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr is author of "Ecstatic Living: A Christian marriage manual and Life-guide", "Son Salutations" and "Daily Contemplations", a collection of read-one-a-day modern inspirations. For more information, visit www.MelanieSchurr.com
"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." - Helen Keller
This past summer I made some new additions to our yard which is a continued work in progress due to its large size. I added three goldfish ponds to which, unfortunately, no fish were ever added. The reason I could not add them was because once I dug the holes, placed heavy plastic as a liner, covered the edging with dirt and rocks, then filled it with water, in a matter of days the water began to stagnate. I was not aware a successful fish pond required some sort of aeration and sanitation to keep bacteria and slime at bay. And so, I let the water stagnate, instead adding faux lilly pads which seemed quite at home in the murky water. Next year I am determined to get a book to find out how to set it up properly.
In similar manner, and as the above quote by Helen Keller conveys, godly character cannot develop by living a life of complacency. Such a bland existence might direct us away from adversity, but the end result is an individual who lacks strength, determination and wisdom. Instead, our entire being becomes sluggish, in much the same way the water of a pond stagnates when it is overrun with bacteria.
God calls our lives to not be as dead cesspools, but as living springs! As do the waves of the ocean ever churn, so too, must our very existence be active and not in a slumber.
Not one person I know enjoys pain, suffering or turmoil, but if we are afraid to speak up and cause a scene when we see a clear injustice, or are fearful to get our knees a little dirty as we bend down to help a child who has fallen off his bike, does this hesitancy to LIVE make us more or less human? More importantly, how does it affect those of us who seek God, and claim to live under the philosophy of "love one another?"
While on this earth, there are no guarantees. We may enter it expecting only clear sailing, but the truth of the matter is, no journey is totally without at least a few bumps in the road. Sometimes, we find ourselves at a dead end, and must turn around, ask for directions, and set back out to drive. Other times, we may come to an unexpected detour which may initially be stressful, but once we reach our destination we see there really was nothing to fear. The only certainty for the Christian is our salvation.
When I look back at my life thus far, I sometimes awe at how I endured various trials and tribulations. Not only did I bare my own hardships, but as mothers and fathers, we often carry the burdens of our children as well. When they hurt, we hurt. It is that simple.
Our Heavenly Father is the same way. He does not joy to see us going through hard times, but he promises those people who believe in Him that we shall find peace, comfort and strength in His arms. We shall also taste the sweetness of wisdom and understanding from this cup we know as life, and our character's shall sing victory because we have successfully endured from tribulation to triumph!
Are you going through a hard time? Call on God and let Him direct your path.
Contributed by Melanie Schurr (Copyright (c)2005 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr is author of "Ecstatic Living: A Christian marriage manual and Life-guide", "Son Salutations" and "Daily Contemplations", a collection of read-one-a-day modern inspirations. For more information, visit www.MelanieSchurr.com
